TRACES OF DA’WAH IN SOUTH KOREA: UNDERSTANDING ISLAM’S LIMITED ACCEPTANCE THROUGH HISTORICAL AND RELIGIOUS LENSES
JEJAK DAKWAH DI KOREA SELATAN: MEMAHAMI PENERIMAAN TERHAD ISLAM MELALUI LENSA SEJARAH DAN KEAGAMAAN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61465/jurnalyadim.v4.280Abstract
While global trends indicate that Islam is currently the fastest-growing religion, its acceptance on South Korea remains notably limited and slow. This study offers a historical exploration of this phenomenon by analysing the interplay between South Korea’s dominant religious perspectives and key social factors that have influenced the public acceptance of Islamic da’wah. Drawing exclusively on secondary sources including academic publications, historical analyses, and sociological literature, this paper adopts a qualitative, and historical-documentary method. It examines how Confucian-rooted religious pluralism, the dominance of Christianity and Buddhism, and post-war nationalism have shaped religious identity and influenced perceptions of Islam. The study further considers the role of media, migration policies, and societal attitudes toward foreigners and minority religions. The findings indicate that beyond theological objections, factors such as social cohesion, cultural homogeneity, and the perception of Islam as a foreign religion remain key obstacles to the spread of da’wah and the acceptance of Islam in South Korea. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of Islam’s marginal role in South Korea and highlights the broader implications for interfaith engagement and religious minority integration in East Asian societies.
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