| dc.description.abstract | This research investigates the community empowerment practices in
Kampung MATFA Indonesia, a unique spiritual and communal village located in
Telaga Said Village, Sei Lepan Subdistrict, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra. The
empowerment model in this community is shaped by the compassionate teachings
of Y.M. Tuan Guru and is institutionalized through the leadership of his
successor, Tuwan Imam. The study applies a qualitative descriptive method, using
data collection techniques such as participant observation, in-depth interviews
with key informants, and documentation review.
The findings show that Kampung MATFA adopts a holistic empowerment
strategy that integrates spiritual, social, and economic dimensions through a
compassion-centered framework. The leadership of Tuwan Imam is central to the
community‟s daily life, guiding activities that range from religious education and
decision-making
collective worship to economic sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, livestock,
small-scale industries, and the management of a communal bottled water
company (HANICHA). Social institutions like the Baitul Maal, communal
kitchens, and educational programs for children and adults further reinforce this
system of empowerment.
The community employs the Asset-Based Community Development
(ABCD) approach by mobilizing internal resources, talents, and values within the
community, rather than relying on external assistance. This approach is
complemented by Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques that emphasize inclusive through regular musyawarah (community deliberation), collective planning, and participatory evaluation. Moreover, the study also addresses external perceptions of the community—ranging from admiration for its unity and self-reliance to criticisms of authoritarianism or
indoctrination—offering a nuanced analysis of local spiritual leadership in a
modern context.
The research concludes that Kampung MATFA demonstrates a model of
alternative empowerment that blends spiritual devotion, strong leadership,
cultural values, and cooperative economics. The institutionalization of
compassion as a guiding principle has enabled the development of a self
sustaining, harmonious society that may serve as a reference for culturally rooted
community development elsewhere. | en_US |
