Embracing faith and fun : the emergence of Bikers Subuhan in Central Java

Abstract

This thesis examines the emergence of Bikers Subuhan (BS) which has grown rapidly in the past six years. The movement identifies itself as a community of motorcycle enthusiasts promoting congregational Dawn (Subuh) prayer in mosques. Presently, BS has established 108 communities spread throughout cities in Indonesia. This study demonstrates that there was an increase in members within the BS movement, most recruitment takes place through interpersonal relations between the BS members, the Safar Ride event, and the utilization of social media. This research focuses on the BS movement in Solo, considering that the city is known as a nest for various Islamic radical groups, where Islamist ideas remain strong and prevalent. This research applies the theory of Pop-Islamism promoted by Dominik Muller; he argues that Islamist ideas are still being voiced, albeit in different forms/languages, namely through the adoption and adaptation of pop culture. This research employs ethnographic fieldwork for approximately six months (February-July) through participatory and digital observation, interviews, content analysis, and documentation. Interviews were conducted with 26 participants, consisting of one staff member from the PKS faction, four awwalun (leaders), three murabbis (religious mentors/advisors), and 18 members of Bikers Subuhan. Through content analysis, the study will discuss the narratives propagated through Islamic religious preaching (pengajian), private groups, and discussions that followed during their activities. This study found that the BS community tends to lean more toward an Islamist movement rather than a motorcycle enthusiast community. In short, this religious movement utilizes the motorcycle community as a camouflage to attract participants and supporters toward their envisioned goals. This thesis argues that the Bikers Subuhan continue to advocate for disseminating Islamist narratives and endorse implementing Islamic laws, including establishing an Islamic state, albeit primarily within their internal circles. This study is expected to contribute to the literature on Islamic activism that utilizes fun as part of movement mobilization in Indonesia, with a concentration on Solo. Considering that this research is limited to the BS movement in Solo, the findings and analysis of this thesis do not generalize the direction of the Bikers Subuhan movement in Indonesia, which may give an orientation towards supporting Islamism.