DIGITAL ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR OLDER ADULTS: ENHANCING LIFELONG LEARNING AND SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING
Keywords:
Digital Islamic Education, Older Adults, Lifelong Learning, Spiritual Well-Being, Digital LiteracyAbstract
Population ageing and rapid advances in digital technology have transformed the way older adults access educational and religious resources. These developments offer new possibilities for Islamic religious education to support lifelong learning while enriching spiritual well-being in later life. Despite these opportunities, many older adults still encounter challenges in engaging with digital learning because of physical limitations, restricted mobility, and inadequate digital skills. This study examines how digital Islamic religious education contributes to lifelong learning and spiritual well-being among older adults. A qualitative descriptive case study was conducted involving older adults who regularly participated in online Islamic learning through platforms such as YouTube, Zoom, WhatsApp, and other digital media. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, and were analyzed using an interactive qualitative approach. The findings show that digital Islamic education enables older adults to access religious learning more flexibly and continuously, regardless of time and place. Regular participation not only enriches religious knowledge but also strengthens religious engagement, improves digital competence, supports psychological resilience, and fosters spiritual well-being by promoting inner peace, gratitude, and a closer relationship with Allah. However, limited digital literacy, unequal access to technology, and the lack of age-friendly learning environments continue to hinder wider participation. These findings suggest that digital Islamic religious education can serve as an inclusive and sustainable approach to lifelong learning. Greater collaboration among educators, families, communities, and policymakers is needed to create supportive digital learning environments that encourage active ageing and improve the overall well-being of older adults.
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