Communicating Islam Nusantara through Comic
Alfiandi Eka
1
,Setyo Budi
2
, and Lulu Purwaningrum
3
{s011808001@uns.ac.id
1
, setyobudi67@gmail.com
2
, lulu_purwaningrum@uns.ac.id
3
}
1,2,3
Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta. Indonesia
Abstract. The presence of a discourse inIslam Nusantara has triggered some
polemics among Indonesian Muslims. Pros and cons have been present to
address the discourse. Public-sharing has been carried out through various media
to provide the right understanding of Islam Nusantara, including popular
medium such as comics.The aim of this studywas to explain how a comic
provides an understanding of the Islam Nusantaraconcept. Itused descriptive
qualitative research method. The data were collected using literature review and
interviews. The results of this study revealed that the IslamNusantaraconcept by
using comics are conveyed through the narratives, illustrations (characters and
symbols) made for representing the ideas, as well as the existing dialogues.The
characters represent the two faces of Islam in Indonesia with the opposite model
of da’wah. Some of the icons and symbols presented in the comics show the
da’wah model of Islam Nusantara that can be acculturated with local cultures.
Based on the analysis, it confirms that comics can be used as one of an
interesting mediumto conveythe related issues. Comics, as a medium of
communication, can target all communities, especially the young generation and
effectively deliver messages in fun and easierway to understand.
Keywords: comics, Islam Nusantara, Indonesia, cool medium, communication
1. INTRODUCTION
Islam Nusantara can be regarded as the antithesis of the idea of Islam that is oriented
towards Middle East or International countries. Although the discourse of Islam
Nusantarabecomes a discussion and polemic among societies, pros and cons still occur. Those
who contradict say that Islam is one, and no Islam that is labeled with the term of Nusantara
or others.
Islam Nusantara as a discourse of thought has emerged as the theme in the 33
rd
Nahdatul
Ulama (NU) Major Congress held in Jombang Regency, East Java Province, Indonesia on
August 1-5, 2015. The congress arose the theme “Upholding Islam Nusantara for Indonesia
and World Civilization”[1].According to K.H. Said Aqil Siradj, Islam Nusantara is meant to
refer to the thought that is based on the history of Islam that entered Indonesia without going
through war, yet compromise on culture. He further explained that Islam Nusantara is not a
new sect nor to be intended to change the Islamic doctrine[2].
SEWORD FRESSH 2019, April 27, Surakarta, Indonesia
Copyright © 2019 EAI
DOI 10.4108/eai.27-4-2019.2286789