Agung Pramujiono, Suhari, Mimas Ardhianti, Syamsul Ghufron, Eva Imania Eliasa
—This study examined how Gus Iqdam (GI), a young religious leader in East Java, Indonesia, employs positive politeness strategies to foster solidarity within the multicultural Sabilu Taubah congregation, whose members come from diverse religious, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Using a qualitative socio-pragmatic approach informed by Brown and Levinson's (1987) politeness theory, data were collected through direct observation, audiovisual recordings, and publicly available sermon videos. The analysis identified eleven positive politeness strategies, including expressing attentiveness, using in-group markers, seeking agreement, incorporating humour, and offering gifts, that enabled GI to mitigate face-threatening acts, build rapport, and reinforce social cohesion. These strategies not only bridged religious and cultural divides but also nurtured communal identity and mutual respect. The findings advance socio-pragmatics and intercultural communication by demonstrating how contextually sensitive politeness practices can enhance inclusivity and unity in pluralistic religious settings, offering practical implications for religious, educational, and community leadership. © 2026 ACADEMY PUBLICATION.
Department of Indonesian Language Education, Universitas PGRI Adi Buana Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia; Department of Civic Education, Universitas PGRI Adi Buana Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia; Master program in Elementary Education, Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia; Department of Educational Psychology and Guidance, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
