Scholarly Works - Islamic Studies

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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14576/181

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Open Access
Rethinking quranic interpretation : insights from al-tabari’s classical tafsir
(ZAIN Publications, 2025-01) Adel, Samiullah; Rahimi, Mahmood; Mohammadi, Asadullah
This research explores the tafsir of Al-Tabari in a deep seat to critically situate his interpretations of Quranic-related verses that deal with gender in the context of early Islamic intellectual and socio-cultural thinking and to open Al-Tabari's exegesis, which fuses pluralistic and contextual approaches, thus capturing the diverse scholarly perspectives on gender in classical Islam. That is, while Al-Tabari's tafsir reflects traditional hierarchies of gender, it also opens up avenues of a pluralistic methodology for reinterpretation today. Hereby, integrating feminist and contemporary hermeneutical frameworks, this study suggests ways in which Quranic gender verses could be read differently in terms of justice. Hence, Al-Tabari echoes in history the early Islamic norms concerning gender at the same time serving as a jumping-off point for renewed engagement with gender justice in the current context of Quranic interpretation, bringing together classical scholarship and modern views.
Open Access
Seeking moderation amid religious extremism and political turmoil : a case study of Afghanistan
(Post Graduate State Islamic University Sultan Aji Muhammad Idris Samarinda, 2024-12-31) Adel, Samiullah; Rahimi, Mahmood; Ullah, Abid
This study investigates the interplay of Islamic ideology, violence, and political strategies in contemporary Afghanistan, examining domestic and foreign influences. This study applies library resources to explore the delicate relationships between Afghan Islamic philosophy, politics, and warfare by utilizing a thematic analysis framework. By closely analyzing the historical development of Islamic philosophy, politics, and violence in Afghanistan, as well as the impact of foreign stakeholders, the study aims to offer a thorough understanding of this interconnected web of complexities. Employing thematic analysis to dissect Islamic thoughts in Afghanistan, stressing the diversity of viewpoints and the vital role of external stakeholders. This research will shed light on the complex interplay of terrorism relationships among terrorism, politics, and conflict resolution, highlighting the dire need for Wasatiyya (moderation). By bridging historical viewpoints with contemporary ground realities, the study will offer an understanding of Afghanistan’s socio-economic and political complexities. This article significantly contributes to the academic discourse and directs future research into the complex political realities within the region.
Open Access
Sacred spaces : the controversial practice of building churches in muslim lands during the mamluk period
(Brill, 2024-12-16) Waskito Wibowo
It is familiarly known among Muslims that Sharīʿa suggests the prohibition of participating in church construction. However, in historical accounts, a number of churches in Arab countries were built during the era of Islam. This led to ambiguities and the perception that the caliphs did not abide by Sharīʿa law then. Therefore, this essay aims to reveal the reasons and motives of those caliphs or other Muslim authority holders allowing the building of churches in Cairo during the Mamluk dynasty. Furthermore, this article seeks the extent to which Muslim authority holders contribute to the church building for Christians and the responses, attitudes and dynamics of Muslim residents around the churches built in their area. By employing the qualitative library method, by making primary and secondary pieces of literature as objects of study and then interpreting them from a historical point of view, this article indicates that life under the Mamluk dynasty was so dynamic. There was a different application for the restriction of building, rebuilding, or reopening churches between society and some sultans. While citizens acted massive attacks and destruction of the churches provoked by the fatwā of the elite, it seems there were also defenses from the authorities for this act of vandalism.
Open Access
Balancing orthodoxy and flexibility : substantive and accommodative approaches to women’s rights in Qaradawi's fiqh
(Faculty of Sharia & Law UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, 2024-12-31) Waskito Wibowo; Rusli Hasbi; Madi, Ahmed Abd Raziq Ali
The initiation of the minority fiqh concept for Muslims in countries with a non-Muslim majority is like a coin with two sides. On one side, it is seen as a threat to the established schools with their structured and well-defined methodologies, as it is often suspected of involving talfīq—combining opinions from various schools by selecting the most lenient fatwas. On the other hand, this concept represents an intellectual innovation aimed at helping minority Muslims remain committed to the principles of sharia amid a reality that does not fully support their religious practices. This paper critically investigates whether Qaraḍāwī adheres to a consistent methodology he designed, specifically whether he remains faithful to the principles he espouses or deviates by selectively borrowing opinions across schools. Taking some of his fatwas contained in his book entitled Fī Fiqh al-Aqalliyyāt al-Muslimahas the main object, this study argues that Qaraḍāwī, although, does talfīq in his fatwa by borrowing opinions from several ulama or schools, he consistently adheres to the methodology he established. This approach offers a legal framework that is accommodative yet rich in pragmatic nuances, resulting from a consistent synthesis of various opinions. Furthermore, on a broader scale, this concept provides a framework that balances flexibility with orthodoxy.
Open Access
Our husband and children are not acknowledged : endogamy, gendered power, and child issues in the ‘alawiyyīn marriage in Indonesia
(Postgraduate Program (PPs) and the Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (LSAS), State Islamic University (UIN) of Sunan Ampel Surabaya, 2024-12) Syarifah Ema Rahmaniah; Egi Tanadi Taufik
This paper analyzes the endogamous marriage practices among the ‘Alawiyyīn community in Pontianak Indonesia and the problems of gender inequality and child discrimination. This ethnographic research was conducted within eight months in 2021 and 2023. The doctrine of endogamy is actually misogynistic narratives towards the Sharifah women, silent resistance against exogamy, and refusal of half-blood child. The discussion analyzes the phenomenon of Muslim kin marriage within the socio-setting of religious-historical aristocracy and the patriarchal hegemony of the patrilineal community. It also highlights how the ‘Alawiyyins of Pontianak defend the doctrine of endogamy as institutionalized in the concept of kafa’at against exogamy practices among the community. The resistance to endogamy is practiced as a complex negotiation among ‘Alawiyyīn members for normalizing exogamy as they re-internalize and institutionalize the doctrine of kafā’at. Against the dogma, the exogamy marriage directly affects normalizing non-familial marriages among ‘Alawiyyīns, restoring the social status of those performed out-marriage and recognizing their descendants as clan members. However, the insistence of ‘Alawiyyīns in defending their kin marriage doctrine at all-cost makes this counter narrative remain in the sideline at the moment.
Open Access
Before orthodoxy; the story of Abraham's sacrifice (dzabīh) in early muslim commentaries
(UIN Sunan Gunung Djati, 2024-01-30) Azhari Andi; Hamdi Putra Ahmad
The story of Abraham's sacrifice holds significant place in Islam, and what Muslims believe about Ishmael as the intended sacrifice is not the only belief in the Muslim tradition. This paper examines the historical transformation of Abraham’s sacrifice narratives in Muslim commentaries (tafsīrs), with a focus on revealing how, when, why, and at whose hands this transformation occurred. Employing the theory of tafsir as a genealogical tradition of Walid A. Saleh and adopting a socio-historical approach, this paper investigates the evolution of the interpretation of the story of dzabīh from Isaac to Ismael and the factors contributing to this evolution. The analysis reveals that in the first four centuries of Islam, Muslim interpretations and attitudes regarding the story of dzabīh were the complete opposite of what is common today. Muslim commentators, such as al-Suddī, Ibn Juraij, Muqatil ibn Sulaiman, al-Thabarī, and al-Samarqandī, firmly believed that Isaac is dzabīh. However, Ibn Athiyyah and al-Baghawī, the commentators of the sixth century hijri, showed different responses towards this story, neutral and favoring Ismael as dzabīh. Additionally, in the eighth century Hijri, Ishmael as dzabīh gained orthodoxy and popularity, as demonstrated by Ibn Taimiyyah and Ibn Kathir. They condemned the pro-Isaac as heretical interpretation and rejected it. Even though they disagree with the proIsaac commentators, they still quoted the narrations and opinions of previous commentators by providing counter-arguments, and this is what is called tafsir as a genealogical tradition. Furthermore, power dynamics and the socio-political setting of the eighth century may have had an impact on this change in the story of dzabīh. This evolution highlights the dynamic nature of Islamic interpretation, where interpretation is not necessarily static but evolves over time, shaped by historical contingencies and socio-political dynamics. This historical reevaluation illuminates the complexity of Islamic intellectual history and the fluidity of religious interpretation in the Muslim tradition.
Embargo
The making of living ḥadīth : a new direction of ḥadīth studies in Indonesia
(Routledge, 2024-04-21) Saifuddin Zuhri Qudsy; Irwan Abdullah; Hasse Jubba; Zaenuddin Hudi Prasojo; Egi Tanadi Taufik
Ḥadīth studies identifies Islamic practices that originate from the text of the ḥadīths or the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. The term ‘living ḥadīth’ has emerged as a new direction to ḥadīth studies. This article seeks to explore the dynamics of living ḥadīths as they have emerged in and revitalised ḥadīth studies, especially within academic discourse of Indonesian Islamic universities. Important findings include that the living ḥadīth has become a subdiscipline of ḥadīth studies that examines on how Muslims interpret and express the ḥadīths in their daily lives, as well as how Indonesian Muslims link, communicate, and relate ḥadīths to local traditions and how local cultures assimilate and interact with the texts. This article also finds that the paradigm of living ḥadīth differs from the disciplines of sociology and anthropology of religion, presenting its epistemology through five areas of focus: practice, reception, text, transmission, and transformation.
Open Access
Regrounding maqāṣid al-sharīʿa, the quranic semantics and foundation of human common good, written by Mohamed El-Tahir El-Mesawi
(Brill, 2025-01-15) al-Marakeby, Muhammad
Each year, a vast amount of literature is published on maqāṣid al-Sharīʿa. However, only a few of these works stand out as serious and thoughtprovoking. One such work is the book we are reviewing: Regrounding Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿa, the Quranic Semantics and Foundation of Human Common Good, authored by Mohamed El-Tahir El-Mesawi with Waleed Fekry Faris and Dawood A. Yahya al-Hidabi. The book’s main body spans 208 pages and is divided into three main chapters preceded by an introduction and followed by a conclusion. The first chapter examines the preservation of religion (ḥifẓ al-dīn) and progeny (ḥifẓ al-nasl), the second focuses on the preservation of life (ḥifẓ al-nafs), and the third explores the preservation of the mind (ḥifẓ al-ʿaql) and wealth (ḥifẓ al-māl). This book can be situated within the ongoing debate on the ambiguity surrounding the interpretation of maqāṣid in modern times and its occasional (mis)use to justify contradictory positions within the framework of Sharīʿa. It takes an important step toward re-establishing a connection between maqāṣid and Qurʾānic terminology by conducting a semantic analysis of the Qurʾān to (re)define maqāṣid. The authors argue that early scholars have largely overlooked this critical link, making their efforts both timely and essential. The central question posed by the book is: What might the five maqāṣid mean if interpreted through the conceptual framework of the Qurʾān?
Open Access
The relationship between Islamic teachings and cultural values in shaping attitudes towards gender roles in Indonesia
(2024-06-20) Bouchouk, Oumaima; Ayaz, Maria
The relationship between Islam, culture, and attitudes towards gender roles in Indonesian society is a complex and dynamic phenomenon that requires a nuanced and interdisciplinary approach to be fully understood. This study aims to explore the interplay between Islamic teachings, cultural values, and attitudes towards gender roles in Indonesia through an interpretive case study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 20 participants, including religious leaders, scholars, activists, and members of the general public. Documentary sources such as religious texts, academic journals, and news articles were also analyzed. The collected data was analyzed using a thematic analysis approach, and the findings were synthesized and interpreted to provide answers to the research questions. The study reveals that the relationship between Islamic teachings, cultural values, and attitudes towards gender roles in Indonesia is complex and multifaceted. Islamic teachings emphasize modesty, respect for elders, and traditional gender roles, significantly shaping attitudes towards gender equality and women's roles in society. However, local cultural beliefs and practices with strong patriarchal underpinnings also reinforce gender inequalities. This dynamic interplay between Islam and culture requires a nuanced and interdisciplinary approach to be fully understood. The study underscores the importance of understanding how religion, culture, and gender roles shape societal attitudes and values. It also highlights the need for further research to deepen the understanding of Indonesia's social, cultural, and religious dynamics and their impact on women's positions in society
Open Access
Natural sciences in the era of ‘decline’ : discovering manuscripts at jāmi’ al-azhar
(Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation, Charles Sturt University, 2024-08-21) Muhammad Faris Ibrahim
This article critically examines the commonly held narrative of decline, in relation to the development of natural sciences in Islamic history. The period between the 16th and 19th centuries CE is often referred to as a time of decline for Islamic civilisation. Conversely, this period is also considered an important time for the European Renaissance and its modern age, including in terms of natural sciences. In this article, I argue that, while attempts to periodise Islamic history can facilitate better understanding of historical developments, they are often significantly influenced by underlying biases aimed at exerting dominance over the Muslim world. I have found the narrative of decline is closely connected to the linear movement theory of history. Furthermore, Egyptian modernists used the decline narrative to criticise al-Azhar without acknowledging its scholars’ support for progress. Lastly, the narrative of decline built by modernists against al-Azhar for not paying attention to the natural sciences needs to be critically reviewed, particularly by referring to manuscripts written by al-Azhar scholars related to natural sciences, such as medicine, algebra, astronomy and engineering from the 16th to 19th centuries as a counter- narrative of decline.
Open Access
Reshaping minority fiqh : the ideas of ‘Abd Allah Ibn Bayyah
(Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation, Charles Sturt University, 2028-08-21) Haidar Masyhur Fadhil
This article analyses the contribution of ‘Abd Allah ibn Bayyah’s approach in the development of minority fiqh, particularly within the context of reconstructing Islamic law for Muslim minorities in Western countries. Ibn Bayyah is recognised as a neo-traditionalist striving to reconstruct Islamic law with an innovative approach to meet the needs of these minority groups. This research adopts a descriptive- analytical approach to comprehend the concepts introduced by Ibn Bayyah. In his efforts, Ibn Bayyah employs several new approaches, including the utilisation of verification of the hinge (taḥqīq al-manāṭ) to understand reality, weighing weaker opinions (al-qawl al-ḍa’īf) while considering communal welfare (maṣlaḥa), connecting the objective of Sharia (maqāṣid al-sharī’a) with legal theory (uṣūl al-fiqh), and optimising the Islamic legal maxims (al-qawā’id al-fiqhiyya). The article delineates the significance of the new approaches introduced by Ibn Bayyah in the context of minority fiqh development and their impact on Islamic legal thought for Muslim minorities in Western countries. It is anticipated this analysis will provide profound insights into the new paradigm in addressing legal challenges faced by Muslim minorities within the social and legal context of the West.
Open Access
The the dialectics of polygamy and feminism : an analysis of mentoring polygamy by coach hafidin and musdah mulia’s thoughts
(Center for Gender and Child Studies (Pusat Studi Gender dan Anak) LP2M, UIN KH. Abdurrahman Wahid Pekalongan, 2024-06-26) Alifia; Bhirawa Anoraga
The practice of polygamy in Muslim life still attracts an intense debate regarding the way women are viewed. Although the teachings of Islam allow and have determined the rules for those who are polygamous, problems often arise when a Muslim man enters into a polygamous marriage. Polygamy is currently still a pro-con in society. In fact, a negative stigma is often given to the perpetrators Polygamy is considered detrimental to women and only benefits men. In modern feminist discourse, there is a perspective that polygamy is an act that deprives women of their rights and freedom. This research focuses on Hafidin and Musdah Mulia's dialectic on polygamy. This research is a qualitative-descriptive research. The data sources used are several YouTube videos of Hafidin's polygamy coach class and Musdah Mulia's arguments. The data collection method used in this research is the listening method with note-taking technique. The data analysis method used in this research is descriptive comparison method. namely by describing the data findings contained in coach Hafidin's class and comparing them with Musdah Mulia's thoughts. The results of this study can be concluded that polygamy is not a simple problem, but rather a complex problem and requires a lot of consideration, including whether polygamy can have a positive or negative impact on the couple.
Open Access
Gender equality in Islamic marriage law through the maqāṣid al-sharī’a perspective : a study on woman-initiated divorce (cerai gugat) in Indonesia
(Center for Gender and Child Studies, Institute for Research and Community Services (LP2M), Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang, 2024-04-30) Muhammad Mufti
The presence of gender equality issues in Islamic family law has already become a new challenge faced by Muslims to manifest and uphold the higher purpose of sharī’a (maqāṣid al-sharī’a). Thus, maqāṣid al-sharī’a as a theoretical framework should be able to accept adjustment depending on the circumstance. This article aims to discuss the notion of gender equality in maqāṣid al-sharī’ah perspective, which is focused on two research questions, namely what is the perspective of maqāṣid al-sharī’a on gender equality discourse, especially in Islamic marriage law, and how can the reform of Islamic marriage law in the practice of divorce support the realization of a new paradigm of maqāṣid al-sharī’a to achieve justice. Using woman-initiated divorce (cerai gugat) in recent Indonesia as a case study and incorporating a normative legal approach along with the Islamic feminism theory proposed by Amina Wadud, the article concludes that the maqāṣid al-sharī’a applied in the Muslim legal tradition demonstrates the flexibility of Islamic law in adapting to various demands and circumstances. In the context of Islamic family law in Indonesia, it can be proven by the presence of woman-initiated divorce (cerai gugat) which has never been done before. It became a manifestation of the ability of maqāṣid al-sharī’a to reconcile contemporary issues such as the notion of gender equality.
Open Access
Koherensi surah dalam tafsir nusantara : analisis metode penafsiran Buya Malik Ahmad dalam tafsir sinar
(Lajnah Pentahihan Mushaf Al-Qur'an, Badan Litbang dan Diklat Kementerian Agama Republik Indonesia, 2023-12-29) Muhammad Alan Juhri
This article discusses the coherence of sura, a method of tafsir advocated by contemporary Western scholars, which has been recognized by Nusantara scholars. The focus here is on Buya Malik Ahmad, a Minangkabau scholar of tafsir who authored a work titled “Tafsir Sinar”. In addition to emphasizing the nuzuli (interpretation based on chronology of revelation) tafsir of sura, Buya Malik’s tafsir is also strongly infused with its coherence. By grouping verses into categories, Buya Malik seeks to demonstrate that the suras in the Qur’an form a cohesive and integral unity. This research identifies at least three characteristics of Buya Malik’s tafsir. First, Buya Malik not only establishes the internal coherence of sura but also its external coherence. Second, he categorizes verses not only based on the grammatical structure and thematic content of a sura but also based on information about its revelation (tartib nuzuli). Lastly, Buya Malik determines the main theme of a sura through its chronological order of revelation (tartib nuzuli). These three characteristics contribute a distinct perspective to the discourse on sura coherence, especially in the Nusantara region.
Open Access
Tracing the trialectic : the process and influence of three laws in the establishment of religious courts in Indonesia
(Institut Agama Islam Negeri Ponorogo, 2024-06-25) Moh. Muafiqul Khalid MD; Aldi Hidayat; Muhammad Alan Juhri; Solehah, Elvina Lintang
This article discusses the legal trialectic in establishing the Religious Courts in Indonesia. Since its establishment in 1882, the Religious Courts have not fully represented Islamic law as its primary source. To trace this trialectic, the author uses Ebrahim Moosa's theoretical framework of "transculturation, counterpoints, social imaginary, networks, and legal orientalism." For this purpose, the author proposes two problem formulations. First, what is the process of trialectic attraction between Islamic law, positive law, and customary law in the establishment of the Religious Courts? Second, what is the extent of the influence of positive and customary law in limiting the role of Islamic law? The author offers two novelties, namely methodological novelty in Indonesian Islamic studies, by adopting Ebrahim Moosa's theory. Finally, the conclusive novelty is that the Religious Court is not derived from Islam but from the trialectic of three laws. The practical contribution of this study is to re-question the roles of religious courts in formalizing and implementing Islamic law in Indonesia, with the hope that religious courts will become a dialectical space where Islamic law continues to develop so that it can make a practical contribution to contemporary Indonesian society.
Open Access
Digital media impact on sufi practices : analyzing ijāza wirid dhikr
(Faculty of Ushuluddin and Humanities, Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang, 2024-06-21) Ahmad Rizki; Rusdi, Hasan
This article discusses the impact of digital media on Sufi practices, specifically in the context of conducting ijāza (authorization) for wird dhikr rituals through digital platforms. Traditionally, Sufi practices such as the ijāza involve direct teaching from teacher to student. However, with the rapid development of digital media, the ijāza process has undergone significant changes. This study adopts an eclectic approach, which combines digital ethnography to study online participant engagement and a comprehensive literature review to track and measure the transformation of ijāza through digital media. Data were gathered from various sources, including books, scholarly journals, and relevant digital content related to the research topic. The findings show that the evolution of digital media has transformed the implementation of ijāza for wird dhikr from direct (traditional) to indirect transmission through online media, and it is considered valid. Yet, ijāza is not merely dealing with the process of authorization but also the transmission of blessings and spiritual knowledge from the teacher to the student, which needs close engagement and relationships that can only be achieved with direct interaction.
Open Access
Hate speech in cyberspace : fueling the rejection of rohingya refugees in Indonesia
(LP2M K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid State Islamic University, 2024-03-05) Haidar Masyhur Fadhil; Rizkiyatul Imtyas
This research aims to trace and analyze how negative sentiments towards Rohingya refugees are disseminated on Social Media Platform X. This phenomenon is increasingly concerning as it involves not only negative sentiments but also the spread of hoaxes that can lead to discrimination and hatred. The study employs a qualitative approach with a descriptive-analysis method, focusing on content analysis of hate narratives emerging on Social Media Platform X. Collected data include comments, posts, and various forms of negative content targeting Rohingya refugees. I argue that hate speech towards Rohingya refugees tends to originate from anonymous fanbase accounts. The negative narratives from these accounts successfully shape public opinion and cultivate a xenophobic attitude among Indonesian netizens on Social Media Platform X. Furthermore, this hate speech contributes to the creation of a double standard between the issues of Palestine and Rohingya on Social Media Platform X, potentially influencing society's perception and attitude towards both issues.
Open Access
Virtuality of online religion in cyberspace : study of virtual hajj in metaverse discourse
(Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian Masyarakat, UIN Syekh Ali Hasan Ahmad Addary Padangsidimpuan, 2024-06-30) Nur Aisyah Fadillah; Ahmad Nailul Murad
Ahmad Nailul Murad - Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia, Indonesia DOI : 10.24952/fitrah.v10i1.10866 PDF Supp. File(s): Author(S) Statement Of Originality ABSTRACT REFERENCES LICENSING HOW TO CITE The article examines the phenomenon of shifting religion in Cyberspace, where the practices from the offline to the online sphere are indicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has changed the social structure and behaviour of Indonesian society. For the most part, hajj metaverse discourse tends to use this new public space to be a clear visual manifestation of religious identity. Using this theoretical framework of Champbell and Sheldon, religion needs to adjust to all threats and risks in Cyberspace. The article questions to what extent the metaverse Hajj discourse has shifted religious authority in Cyberspace. How has the pandemic impacted the discourse of Hajj through the metaverse? as seen from the debate of restrictions on places of worship and leading to alternative ways to enjoy the Hajj pilgrimage during the COVID-19 pandemic? Using qualitative methods and ethnographic study, discourse on metaverse hajj makes it impossible to shift religious authority because, in historical, legal, and procedural terms, it is problematic to apply in Muslim society. On the other hand, the ritual of Hajj cannot be broken because a series of activities requires physical presence. The second finding is that the law of Hajj in the metaverse to spread COVID-19 does not validate the Hajj itself because it does not fulfil the pillars of Hajj. Findings reveal that while the metaverse offers potential benefits such as increased accessibility and immersive experiences, it also raises concerns regarding fulfilling Hajj's core tenets, which require physical presence and adherence to specific rituals. The study concludes that although virtual Hajj may serve as a supplementary tool for education and familiarization, it cannot replace the actual pilgrimage due to its inherent limitations in fulfilling the religious obligations associated with Hajj. This research contributes to understanding how digital transformation influences religious practices and highlights the tension between technological advancements and traditional rituals.
Open Access
Religion and politics in Indonesia : the role of kyai in the 2024 election, case study on Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (PKB)
(Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, 2024-06-30) Muhammad Yaufi Nur Mutiullah
This qualitative case study investigates the impact of religious leaders' authority on Indonesian society. In this case, religious leaders possess exceptional and reliable religious expertise and a significant impact on society. The Indonesian populace formerly referred to them as Kyai. This study primarily examines the impact of the Kyai on the Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (PKB) party following the Ijtima' Ulama Nusantara gathering. This gathering serves as a strategic maneuver by PKB to secure victory in the upcoming 2024 general election. This study examines the impact of the religious leaders' authority within the PKB party leading up to the 2024 general election. The author contends that religious leaders in Indonesia wield authority that extends beyond religious matters and encompasses all aspects of Indonesian culture, including politics. The author also aims to assert that the party utilizes the influence of the kyai to enhance its electability and garner support from the community. It has been demonstrated, among other ways, through the Ijtima 'Ulama Nusantara event hosted by the PKB party to secure victory in the 2024 general election. This study utilized a descriptive-analytic methodology. This study gathered written data from multiple literary works and crucial information or news from the media. This study employed Clifford Geertz's theory on religious experts as cultural brokers.
Open Access
Bridging realities : navigating pop-culture media for equitable muslim portrayals through the prism of moderation in post-9/11
(Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 2024-07-17) Muhammad Nuril Fauzan
The influence of media on the formation of attitudes towards Muslims and Arabs in the period following the 9/11 attacks resulted in the propagation of harmful stereotypes and the increase in hate crimes targeting Muslims and Arabs during this time. This was also spread by the role of media, including popular culture media, in disseminating these negative narratives. Using a qualitative approach, this study aims to examine the media’s endeavours to depict Muslims in a positive portrayal and the dearth of meaningful sources documenting these empathetic endeavours through the prism of moderation, especially in post-9/11. This article argues that Evelyn Alsultany's notion of Simplified Complex Representation serves as a gateway for the media's effort to showcase Muslims and Arabs in a more nuanced way.. There are tons of instances that have been analysed from TV dramas, movies, and comics to demonstrate how the media shapes people’s perspectives of Muslims and Arabs. The article contends that media is not merely a mirror of societal views but a powerful agent capable of shaping and modifying perceptions.