The Eid holiday has ended, but new problems the government must face post-Ramadan are just beginning to emerge, one of which is urbanization. The euphoria of the city’s glitter poisons villagers, making them want to experience it. Many of their relatives who have succeeded in the city ultimately bring great hope for them to join in. Consequently, the number of people returning to the city is once again far greater than the number who previously traveled to their hometowns. This indicates a significant increase in the pace of urbanization.

According to the Deputy for Population Control, the phenomenon of the increasingly busy return flow year after year is no longer just a tradition of homecoming during the Eid holiday; the return flow now takes a more complex form. This reflects structural inequality while simultaneously deepening the gap between the two regions of village and city. The demographic bonus has also surged rapidly, affecting the social and economic inequality of urban society.

Urbanization is tangible proof of high economic disparity occurring within society. The economic inequality between city and village leads villagers to prefer moving from their place of origin to improve their quality of life. As a result, villages lose many young human resources, who should be the backbone of development and sustainability in their regions. Meanwhile, cities become demographically burdened due to the large number of people entering.

Capitalism as the Source of the Urbanization Phenomenon

The high disparity in the economic field is the main foundation for the occurrence of urbanization. Villagers place great hope on living in the city because economic growth there is much higher than in the village. This economic disparity cannot be separated from the policies implemented by the government in a country. Indonesia fundamentally stands on a capitalist economic system. A system that grows and develops on the foundation of inherently limited human thought.

The form of capitalist economics in Indonesia operates within a mixed system. This is marked by the dominance of the private and foreign sectors in the exploitation of natural resources, for example Freeport. The proliferation of modern retail, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and market mechanisms in price determination are also part of the capitalist economic system. Although Indonesia claims to be based on Pancasila, capitalist practices in the field are very clear through economic liberalization and excessive investment.

In addition to the capitalist economic system that creates economic disparity, budget allocations that are Jakarta-centric or city-centric add to the triggers for urban migration because villages are neglected. Although economic programs for villages have been developed and implemented by the government to encourage economic growth. In fact, programs such as village cooperatives (kopdes) and village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) are merely for image-building and are not truly implemented to advance villages as they should be.

On the contrary, funds allocated for village economic development programs become a source of collective corruption. They utilize them as a feast of projects that benefit a handful of specific parties. This is also inseparable from the corrupt mentality that is already ingrained in most officials who hold government positions. They forget they have been sworn in to serve the people, they forget they were chosen by the people to prosper the regions they build. Tempted by worldly material and opportunities that make them forget their duty as servants of the community.

Islam’s View on Urbanization

Islam, with all its regulations, guarantees every need of the community, whether they live in villages or cities. Considering this is an obligation for the government as a servant of the community, the community has the right to receive all the facilities needed for their lives. Consequently, through Islamic economic policy, equitable development in every village and city region can be realized.

The agricultural sector as the main source of livelihood for villagers is highly developed. Not only assisted in terms of capital, but all needs such as equipment, fertilizer, seeds, even pesticides will be facilitated by the government for economic development in the village. Not half-heartedly, the government will even deploy agricultural experts and the use of advanced technology so that the results from the agricultural sector can be surplus and able to meet general food needs.

In addition to production factors being considered, distribution factors are also endeavored to function optimally as possible. Strict supervision to avoid middlemen who exploit farmers’ production results is deployed. So that the distribution of crop production from the agricultural sector can be channeled according to the needs of the wider community, including to the city. From here, a balance between village and city will be apparent, complementing each other’s needs.

Thus, there will no longer be extreme forms of urbanization out of necessity to meet living needs, because everything is already fulfilled by the state in both village and city. This will be difficult to

Indonesia

Indonesia is a Southeast Asian archipelago nation of over 17,000 islands, historically shaped by powerful Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms like Srivijaya and Majapahit, followed by centuries of Islamic influence and Dutch colonial rule. Its rich cultural heritage is a vibrant tapestry of these diverse influences, evident in its ancient temple complexes like Borobudur, traditional arts, and hundreds of distinct ethnic groups and languages. Today, it stands as the world’s largest Muslim-majority country and a dynamic republic known for its natural beauty, from rainforests and volcanoes to vast coastlines.

Jakarta

Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, located on the northwest coast of Java. Historically known as Sunda Kelapa and later Batavia under Dutch colonial rule, it became the center of the Dutch East Indies before being renamed Jakarta after Indonesia’s independence. Today, it is a bustling, sprawling metropolis that serves as the nation’s political, economic, and cultural hub.

Freeport

Freeport is a major industrial port city on the island of Grand Bahama, The Bahamas. It was established in 1955 as a planned free-trade zone by American financier Wallace Groves, which spurred its rapid development into a hub for shipping, tourism, and commerce. Today, it is known for its cruise ship harbor, resorts, and the popular Port Lucaya Marketplace.

Pancasila

“Pancasila” is not a physical place but the foundational philosophical theory and official ideological basis of the Republic of Indonesia. It was first formulated by Sukarno in a speech on June 1, 1945, and consists of five principles: belief in one God, just and civilized humanity, the unity of Indonesia, democracy guided by inner wisdom, and social justice for all. It serves as the unifying state philosophy, intended to bind together the nation’s diverse ethnic and religious groups.

Islam

Islam is a major world religion founded in the 7th century CE in Mecca (modern-day Saudi Arabia) through the revelations received by the Prophet Muhammad, which were later compiled into the Quran. It is a monotheistic faith centered on the belief in one God (Allah) and the teachings of Muhammad as His final prophet, and it has profoundly shaped the civilization, laws, art, and architecture across the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond. Key cultural sites for Muslims include the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, which houses the Kaaba, and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.

village cooperatives (kopdes)

“Village cooperatives,” often known as **Koperasi Desa (Kopdes)** in Indonesia, are community-owned businesses established in rural areas to improve local economic welfare. Historically, they emerged as a key part of government-led development programs from the mid-20th century onward, aiming to provide villagers with collective access to credit, agricultural supplies, and market sales. These cooperatives remain fundamental institutions for fostering self-reliance and economic resilience in many Indonesian villages today.

village-owned enterprises (BUMDes)

Village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) are community-based businesses in Indonesia, established to manage village resources and improve local economies. They were formally institutionalized through the 2014 Village Law, which granted villages greater autonomy and funding. BUMDes typically engage in activities like agriculture, tourism, or financial services, aiming to generate village income and reduce poverty.