Persepsi dan Pemahaman Masyarakat Terhadap Pembentukan Koperasi Desa Merah Putih dalam Perspektif Ekonomi Syariah di Kabupaten Aceh Besar

الملخص

This study aims to analyze the community’s perceptions and understanding of the establishment of the Red and White Village Cooperative (KDMP) from an Islamic economic perspective in Blang Village, Blang Bintang Subdistrict, Aceh Besar Regency. This study employs a qualitative methodology combined with a phenomenological design. Data were collected through interviews and comprehensive documentation with eight informants selected through purposive sampling. The data were then analyzed through organization, coding, categorization, and interpretation, with validity testing conducted via triangulation and member verification.    The findings indicate that the community generally holds a positive perception of the KDMP as a means to improve well-being through the strengthening of microenterprises and the provision of access to capital, though this is accompanied by a cautious attitude regarding the transparency of management. The public’s understanding of cooperatives remains limited to practical aspects and has not yet fully encompassed the concept of cooperatives as a collective economic system. From an Islamic economic perspective, values such as ta’awun, amanah, musyawarah, and kemaslahatan have been socially internalized but have not yet been implemented optimally in institutional practice. This study concludes that the success of the KDMP depends not only on institutional aspects but also on the readiness of the community, particularly in terms of understanding, perception, and trust in cooperatives.