Islamic animation in Indonesia : navigating the tension between Da'wa and religious commodification

Abstract

This thesis delves into the intricate interplay between da'wa and religious commodification within the realm of Indonesia's Islamic Animation. Coinciding with the rise of new media technologies, Muslims have diversified their da'wa approaches by leveraging various media channels, notably Islamic Animation <a prominent instance of popular culture undergoing Islamization. By focusing on Indonesian Islamic Animation, this thesis examines the key actors behind its development, the propagation of Islam via animation, and the negotiation between da'wa and religious commodification. This thesis draws upon Dominik Muller's theory of Pop-Islamism, positing that Islamist ideologies persist in their articulation, albeit manifested through altered mediums and lexicons via the appropriation and adaptation of popular culture. Concurrently, it engages with Greg Fealy's theory on Religious Commodification, which suggests that religious symbols are transmuted into commodified entities, available for purchase and exchange. Adopting a qualitative research methodology, this investigation addresses several pertinent research questions. Data collection is facilitated through online interviews and observational techniques. Notably, interviews were conducted with a producer and members of the marketing division from both the "RIko The Series" and "Ibra Berkisah" production teams. This analysis reveals that Indonesian Islamic Animation is driven by a cohort of Muslim professionals affiliated with the Hijrah movement, unified in their aspiration to offer Islamic content as a distinctive viewing choice for Muslim kids. Indonesian Islamic Animation spreads Islamic values through animated character stories, visual elements such as calligraphy, and occasional musical drama. In navigating the delicate balance between da'wa and religious commodification, the animation production team actively sought input from religious scholars (ulama) and forged alliances with ideologically-aligned religious organizations to uphold the integrity of Islamic messages. This thesis argues that Indonesian Islamic Animation, functioning as a medium for da'wa and targeting Indonesian Muslim families in search of instructive content for their kids, to ensure wider acceptance and facilitate collaborations, it becomes important to present more "inclusive" content that avoids controversial symbols of Islamic ideology. This approach enables the animation to be embraced by the public and facilitates partnerships with external entities, including government agencies.