Defending Traditional Islam in Indonesia: The Resurgence of Hadhrami Preachers

Defending Traditional Islam in Indonesia explores the rise of young preachers of Arab descent (habaib) and their sermon groups in the region, arguing that their emergence is closely tied to contestation between traditionalists and their puritanical rivals, the Salafi-Wahhabi. The habaib use new media and marketing strategies to attract young followers, promoting themselves through merchandise and public staging and entertainment during preaching activities. The book is a novel socio-cultural and religious study and a contribution to the growing discussion on new media, market, and religion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Defending Traditional Islam in Indonesia delves into the rise of young preachers of Arab descent (habaib) and their sermon groups in the region, exploring how Islam and politics coexist, flourish, intertwine, and strive in Indonesia in complex, pragmatic, and mutually beneficial relationships. The book argues that the emergence of Arab preachers in the late 1990s, amidst growing challenges to traditional Islamic authority from various Muslim groups and ideologies, is closely linked to the contestation between traditionalists and their puritanical rivals, the Salafi-Wahhabi. Not only have the habaib played a prominent role in defending traditionalism, but they have also capitalized on this contestation to enhance their authority and religious capital through marketization and their connections to the Middle East.

The author delves into the ways in which habaib promote themselves to the predominantly young urban, Muslim community, examining the use of new media and marketing strategies to attract young followers. The use of merchandise featuring popular culture and group identity markers is particularly notable in the preachers' outreach to urban audiences. Furthermore, public staging and entertainment during preaching activities are employed by the habaib to portray their Islamic preaching (dakwah) as the Prophet's mission and encourage active participation from their followers.

This book represents a novel socio-cultural and religious study, contributing to the growing discourse on new media, markets, and religion. It will appeal to anthropologists, social scientists, and area studies scholars with interests in Indonesia, Southeast Asia, and Islamic studies.

Weight: 512g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032415352