ISLAMIC ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT THROUGH 212 SYARIAH COOPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP IN SOUTH KALIMANTAN: SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

This research aims to examine the latest phenomena related to Islamic economic empowerment, focusing on the development of the 212 cooperatives in South Kalimantan. The political movement that gathered a large number of Muslims to demonstrate on December 2, 2016, has had a strong influence not only in the political sphere but also in the economic dimension, which is seen as the root of the problems faced by the Muslim community. This study is a field study conducted in South Kalimantan. The findings of this research are: first, Muslims in South Kalimantan joined and established the 212 Sharia Cooperative partnership due to the influence of solidarity among the affected community by the 212 spirit, which was able to offer something different yet in line with the open and religious characteristics of the Banjar community and their cautiousness in matters of transactions. Second, the development of the 212 Cooperative partnership in South Kalimantan shows positive progress, as in less than two years, there are already 5 branches of 212 Mart with a total of 599 members. Third, the inhibiting factors include the members' understanding of the cooperative institution's characteristics, pressing needs leading them to withdraw their savings, and finally, the prospect of the 212 Sharia Cooperative partnership in developing the community's economy lies in the existence of this cooperative, providing an alternative for investment and shopping in accordance with Sharia principles for the people in Banua, and institutionally, it has the opportunity to grow even bigger if it does not limit itself to only a certain ideology but provides space for others while still adhering to the principle of economic empowerment for the community.