Strengthening Understanding of Thaharah and Water Conservation through Mosques within Drought-Affected Communities in Lengkong District, Nganjuk Regency

Abstract

The scarcity of clean water due to drought is an issue that not only affects the fulfillment of domestic needs but also impacts the community’s religious practices, particularly thaharah (ritual purification). This community service initiative aims to strengthen understanding of the fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) of thaharah while fostering awareness of water conservation through a mosque-based da’wah approach. The outreach was conducted by a team of faculty members from the Da’wah Management Study Program at Pangeran Diponegoro University in Nganjuk every Saturday throughout September 2026, held at the Baitul Mukminin Mosque in Sendanggogor Hamlet, Ngepung Village, Lengkong Subdistrict, Nganjuk Regency. This activity involved local congregants and inter-village religious leaders using the Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, which emphasizes community involvement in identifying issues, building understanding, and formulating collective actions. The training materials covered the regulations of thaharah, the proper procedures for wudhu according to Islamic law, the principle of avoiding excessive behavior, and practices for efficient water use without compromising the validity of worship. This initiative positions the mosque as a center for religious education and community ecological awareness. The program’s primary contribution lies in the integration of fiqh of ritual purity, water conservation, and community empowerment within the framework of Da’wah Management. This approach is expected to serve as a model for contextual religious education for communities facing clean water shortages.