Syamsidar Yahya and Islamic Enlightenment in Riau: The Role of Muslim Intellectual Women in Building Social Awareness

Abstrak

This paper explores the contributions of Syamsidar Yahya as a Muslim woman intellectual in promoting Islamic enlightenment and fostering social awareness in Riau, Indonesia. Using a descriptive qualitative approach based on literature studies, the research highlights her leadership in education, da'wah (Islamic outreach), and women's empowerment through institutions such as the Kesatuan Wanita Islam Foundation (YKWI). Syamsidar pioneered a transformative educational model that integrated Islamic teachings, life skills, and social consciousness rooted in the principles of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah. Her thought and activism reflect the values of progressive Islam, emphasizing social justice, gender equity, and human dignity. Within the global discourse of Islamic feminism, Syamsidar's legacy represents the role of local Muslim women scholars in articulating an inclusive, contextual, and liberating interpretation of Islam. Her enduring institutional legacy—including madrasas, women’s dormitories, and community-based learning circles—demonstrates that grassroots, woman-led initiatives can serve as effective agents of justice-based social transformation in Muslim societies.