Strengthening Green Culture through the Tahfidz Program at the Boarding School of MTsN 2 Demak

Abstract

Environmental disasters, including landslides, forest fires, and floods, underscore the importance of environmental responsibility. In Demak, improper waste disposal can obstruct waterways and exacerbate rainy-season flooding, highlighting the relevance of translating Qur’anic values into environmental care. However, how tahfidz activities connect with everyday environmental practices in Islamic boarding schools remains insufficiently understood. This study explored this connection at the Boarding School of MTsN 2 Demak, focusing on practices and supporting and inhibiting conditions. Qualitative field research combined participant observation, interviews with six purposively selected external informants, and document review. Data were organized thematically, with researcher reflections distinguished from external interview accounts. Findings indicate that the connection between tahfidz and green culture was articulated through religious guidance, role modeling, supervised routines, and shared environmental duties. Environmental care was reflected in accounts of scheduled cleaning, shared-space and drain maintenance, and proper waste disposal. Musyrif guidance and student cooperation supported these practices, while uneven awareness, fluctuating motivation, and dependence on reminders constrained independent action. The study’s contribution lies in identifying the everyday educational practices through which Qur’anic learning is connected with environmental responsibility, while distinguishing participation in assigned duties from independent initiative. Practically, the findings suggest explicitly connecting Qur’anic values with environmental tasks and providing opportunities for students to act independently. These contextual findings concern primarily cleanliness and shared responsibility; they do not establish a causal effect of tahfidz on green culture