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Illustrating Islam: Comics as Dakwah and the Negotiation of Muslim Identity in Indonesia
Ehrenkonig, Julien
Ehrenkonig, Julien
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2025-05
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Anthropology
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https://doi.org/10.34944/0ww7-my96
Abstract
This dissertation investigates how print and digital comics communicate Islamic values and address issues of religious intolerance and violence in Indonesia, particularly in the context of the country’s social and political transformations following the fall of the Suharto government in 1998. The subsequent decentralization of governance and accompanying societal shifts created space for more conservative and extremist Muslim voices to gain prominence in the public sphere. In response, comics—produced by the Indonesian government, mainstream Islamic media publishers, and independent Muslim artists—have emerged as potential tools for countering extremist ideologies, promoting religious tolerance, and mitigating religious conflict. These comics aim to educate Muslim youth and young adults about the dangers of extremism while encouraging reflection on their religious beliefs and fostering social cohesion across the broader Islamic community. By integrating humor, relatable cultural and religious symbols, and engaging narratives, these comics position Islam as a source of compassion and unity, aligned with Indonesia’s pluralistic national ethos. However, this pluralistic ethos of a culturally diverse yet unified society remains an ideology—one that is sometimes challenged or undermined as particular political interests gain traction or seek to weaken opposition. This study explores how Islamic-themed comics attempt to reframe public perceptions of Muslim identities, bridge ideological divides between traditionalist and modernist Islamic communities, and promulgate the national narrative of a culturally diverse yet unified society. Drawing on ethnographic research—including semi-structured interviews and participant observation—this dissertation examines the processes through which artists conceptualize, construct, and disseminate their work, highlighting the potentially significant role of popular media in shaping perspectives on religion, identity, and national unity in Indonesia.
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