Interpersonal Conflict Among Indonesian Converts: A Mixed-Methods Content Analysis of Digital and Offline Experiences

Suciati Suciati^*

• Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

The conversion of non-Muslims to Islam remains a very significant social phenomenon, especially in areas with large non-Muslim populations such as Papua, East Nusa Tenggara, Bali, and several areas in Sulawesi. Conversion research in Indonesia shows that conversion patterns in Indonesia are often related to interpersonal conflicts with family and mixed marriages. In the last two decades, there has been an increase in conversions motivated by independent spiritual searches among urban professionals and students. This study uses a mixed-methods approach, namely a quantitative approach with a content analysis method, to examine the narratives of sharing converts uploaded on social media and conduct in-depth interviews with convert informants. Digital media platforms allow for collective adaptation processes that may not be available in offline contexts, especially for converts who experience rejection from their immediate environment. This phenomenon reflects an important shift in contemporary religious dynamics, where religious authority and spiritual identity formation are increasingly distributed and connected through digital platforms. Digital space has proven to be a coping mechanism and social support for converts who often face complex adaptation challenges in finding a new religious or spiritual identity.