The Dramaturgy of Da’wah for Religious Communicatorsin Muslim Minority Communities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v13i3.1998Keywords:
Da’wah Strategy, Dramaturgy, Religious Communicators, Muslim MinoritiesAbstract
Da’wah strategies continue to evolve in collaboration with societal trends and receptivity. A dissonance between societal developments and the methods of religious propagation may result in the rejection of religious messages and strained interactions between majority and minority groups. Therefore, a more contextualized approach is required to enhance the effectiveness of da’wah. This study explored dramaturgical da’wah as a strategic framework employed by religious communicators to convey religious messages through frontstage and backstage performances. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, data were collected through interviews and observations of Muslim minority preachers on Nias Island. The findings demonstrated that da’wah practices were implemented by following dramaturgical principles, engaging audiences differently across stages. The success of this strategy was influenced by segmented communication methods, cultural adaptation to local traditions, and the portrayal of Islam as peaceful and open to interfaith dialogue. This approach contributed to fostering interreligious harmony and sustaining the presence of Muslim minorities in Nias. The study offers a novel perspective, highlighting that the development of da’wah strategies must consider the field of experience, particularly in regions where Muslims are a minority.
References
Aidonojie, P. A., Ismaila, H., Eregbuonye Obieshi, & Omobolanle Omolola Ikpotokin. (2025). Examining Human Rights Abuses on Religious, Cultural, and Political Intolerance in Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development and Regulatory Issues (JSDERI), 3(1), 78–94. https://doi.org/10.53955/jsderi.v3i1.55
Amin, N. (2022). Contemporary Da’wah Strategies to Educate the Religious Life of Minority Muslims. Al-Fikru: Jurnal Ilmiah, 16(2), 188–199. https://doi.org/10.51672/alfikru.v16i2.107
Barus, J., Husaini, H., Ja’far, J., & Noor, U. M. (2024). Islamic Higher Education in Post Conflict Aceh: Generation Z Students, Religious Knowledge and Professional Interests. MIQOT: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Keislaman, 48(1), 126–145. https://doi.org/10.30821/miqot.v48i1.836
Bushra, M. E.-S. (2023). A Salafi Pioneer of Saudi Anti-Communism Muhammad Sultan al-Ma’sumi al-Khujandi (1880–1961). Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East, 43(3), 398–411. https://doi.org/10.1215/1089201X-10892754
Caplan, D. (2014). The Dramaturgical Bridge Contextualizing Foreignness in Multilingual Theatre. In The Routledge Companion to Dramaturgy (pp. 141–144). https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203075944-31
Cepoi, E. (2013). The Rise of Islamism in Contemporary Syria. From Muslim Brotherhood to Salafi-Jihadi Rebels. Studia Politica, 13(3), 549–560. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=181912
Chen, Y., & Dorairajoo, S. (2020). American Muslims’ Da’wah Work and Islamic Conversion. Religions, 11(8), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel11080383
Christensen, R. (2021). Rising Islamic Conservatism. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.
Dawood, I. (2024). Exclusion-Politicization: Salafism, Democracy, and Counterpublic Politics in the UK. Democratization, 32(3), 684-705. https://doi.org/10.1080/13510347.2024.2383996
De Angelo, C. (2013). The Image of Europe and the Role of its Muslims, as Portrayed in the Contemporary Islamic Debate on Muslim Minorities. Journal of Muslims in Europe, 2(2), 186–207. https://doi.org/10.1163/22117954-12341263
Elmasry, S. (2010). The Salafis in America: The Rise, Decline and Prospects for a Sunni Muslim Movement among African-Americans. Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 30(2), 217–236. https://doi.org/10.1080/13602004.2010.494072
Emmerich, A. (2023). Arrival of Legal Salafism and Struggle for Recognition in Germany - Reflection and Adaptation Processes within the German Da’wa Movement between 2001 and 2022. Politics and Religion, 16(3), 416–434. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1755048323000056
Goffman, E. (2017). The Presentation of Self. Life as Theater: A Dramaturgical Sourcebook, 129–140. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203787120
Gugler, T. K. (2009). Jihad, Da’wa and Hijra: Islamic Missionary Movements in Europe. https://doi.org/10.11588/xarep.00000236
Guleng, M. P., Muhamat Kawangit, R., & Usman, A. H. (2019). A Case Study of Islamic Dacwah Activities in Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines among Muslim Minority. Humanities and Social Sciences Reviews, 7(4), 559–571. https://doi.org/10.18510/hssr.2019.7476
Haron, M. (2005). Da’wah Movements and Sufi Tariqahs : Competing for Spiritual Spaces in Contemporary South(ern) Africa. Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 25(2), 261–285. https://doi.org/10.1080/13602000500114157
Hashemi, S. Z., & Yeganeh, M. R. J. (2009). A Comparative Analysis of Traditional and Modern Modes of Religious Preaching. Asian Journal of Social Science, 37(2), 274–283. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1163/156853109X415381
Ishak, N., & Mikea Manitra, R. R. (2022). Constitutional Religious Tolerance in Realizing the Protection of Human Rights in Indonesia. Journal of Human Rights, Culture and Legal System, 2(1), 31–44. https://doi.org/10.53955/jhcls.v2i1.24
Islamic-center.or.id. (2020). Respons Mengejutkan Warga Amerika Serikat Terhadap Islam. islamic-center.or.id. https://islamic-center.or.id/respons-mengejutkan-warga-amerika-serikat-terhadap-islam/?
Jamil, N. (2016). “You Are My Garment”: Muslim Women, Religious Education and Self-Transformation in Contemporary Singapore. Asian Studies Review, 40(4), 545–563. https://doi.org/10.1080/10357823.2016.1228044
Kadir, F. K. A. (2021). Contemporary Approach in Da’wah Mission towards Non-Muslim Community: Malaysia Perspectives. Revista Gestão Inovação e Tecnologias, 11(3), 850–860. https://doi.org/10.47059/revistageintec.v11i3.1980
Kalista, V., Saka, P. A., & Sheikhi, M. (2024). Antakng as a Unit of Value in the Life of Dayak Benuaq Tonyooi Community in West Kutai. IAS Journal of Localities, 2(2), 125–142. https://doi.org/10.62033/iasjol.v2i2.73
Karimullah, S. S., Rahman, R., Rahmah, S., & Elmurtadho, F. (2023). Reflections of Prophetic Values on Strengthening Da’wah in the Digitalisation Era. Mawa Izh Jurnal Dakwah dan Pengembangan Sosial Kemanusiaan, 14(2), 31–51. https://doi.org/10.32923/maw.v14i2.3279
Kuiper, M. J. (2017). Da’wa and Other Religions Indian Muslims and the Modern Resurgence of Global Islamic Actism. In Routledge Islamic Studies Series. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315167015
NU Online. (2018). Solusi Bagi Minoritas Muslim di Masyarakat Non Muslim. Nuonline. https://www.nu.or.id/opini/solusi-bagi-minoritas-muslim-di-masyarakat-non-muslim-YH3KI
Olsson, S. (2014). Proselytizing Islam-Problematizing “Salafism”. Muslim World, 104(1–2), 171–197. https://doi.org/10.1111/muwo.12046
Peacock, J. (1971). The Silent Language. College Composition & Communication, 22(2), 137–139. https://doi.org/10.58680/ccc197119155
Pollachom, T., Kongyok, C., Mueangkaew, K., Thasrabiab, T., Boripis, T., & Sripaoraya, K. (2022). Hijab: The Influence of the Islamic Revivalist Movement on Muslim Women in Southernmost Provinces of Thailand. Przestrzen Spoleczna, 22(2), 162–187. https://socialspacejournal.eu/menu-script/index.php/ssj/article/view/59
Prasetiawan, A. Y. (2021). Da’wah of Banyumas Islamic Chinese Ethnicity in the Development of Religious Moderation. Al-Balagh: Jurnal Dakwah Dan Komunikasi, 6(2), 241–272. https://doi.org/10.22515/al-balagh.v6i2.3147
Robinson, L., & Schulz, J. (2016). Eliciting Frontstage and Backstage Talk with the Iterated Questioning Approach. Sociological Methodology, 46(1), 53–83. https://doi.org/10.1177/0081175016632804
Rufai, S. A. (2012). A Foreign Faith in a Christian Domain: Islam among the Igbos of Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 32(3), 372–383. https://doi.org/10.1080/13602004.2012.727296
Sabella, E. Z., & Hall, E. T. (1978). Beyond Culture. In Contemporary Sociology, 7(4), 503-505. https://doi.org/10.2307/2064404
Saefulloh, A. (2021). Multicultural Dakwah Strategies and Social Change in Purwokerto. Al-Ulum, 21(1), 151-156. https://doi.org/10.30603/au.v21i1.2113
Scheibe, K. E., & Barrett, F. J. (2017). The Dramaturgical Approach to Social Psychology: The Influence of Erving Goffman. In The Storied Nature of Human Life: The Life and Work of Theodore R. Sarbin (pp. 187-200). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48790-8_8
Sohrabi, H., & Farquharson, K. (2016). Social integration of Australian Muslims: A dramaturgical perspective. Journal of Sociology, 52(2), 387–402. https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783314562415
Sorgenfrei, S. (2021). Crowdfunding Salafism Crowdfunding as a Salafi Missionising Method. Religions, 12(3), 209. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12030209
Taufik, Z., & Taufik, M. (2023). Nagari Madani: Islamic Favoritism and Religious Freedom in Regional Development in West Sumatera, Indonesia. Ulumuna, 27(2), 692–714. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v27i2.669
Thaib, E. J. (2020). The Communication Strategies for Moderate Islamic Da’wah in Countering Radicalism in Gorontalo City, Indonesia. Jurnal Komunikasi: Malaysian Journal of Communication, 36(4), 143–156. https://doi.org/10.17576/JKMJC-2020-3604-09
Trysnes, I., & Synnes, R. M. (2022). The Role of Religion in Young Muslims’ and Christians’ Self-presentation on Social Media. Young, 30(3), 281–296. https://doi.org/10.1177/11033088211063368
Turki, U. Al, Anas Kholish, M., Jamal, & Tohari, I. (2025). Rethinking Da’wah Strategy As a Basis for Mitigating Conflict Involving Muslim Minorities: Insights From Bali and Peniwen Malang, Indonesia. Teosofi: Jurnal Tasawuf Dan Pemikiran Islam, 15(1), 36–58. https://doi.org/10.15642/teosofi.2025.15.1.36-58
UII. (2020). Munculnya Islamphobia di Dunia Barat. uii.ac.id. https://www.uii.ac.id/munculnya-islamphobia-di-dunia-barat/
Urick, M. J. (2014). The Presentation of Self: Dramaturgical Theory and Generations in Organizations. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 12(4), 398–412. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2014.961829
Walidin, W., Idris, S., & Tabrani ZA. (2015). Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif & Grounded Theory. Banda Aceh: FTK Ar-Raniry Press.
Walidin, W., Idris, S., & Tabrani ZA. (2023). Metodologi Penelitian Berbasis Fenomenologis. Yogyakarta: Darussalam Publishing
Weismann, I. (2019). Between Daʿwa and Dialogue: Religious Engagement in Muslim-Minority Environments. Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, 30(4), 505–522. https://doi.org/10.1080/09596410.2019.1601909
Yilmaz, I., & Demir, M. (2023). Manufacturing the Ummah: Turkey’s Transnational Populism and Construction of the People Globally. Third World Quarterly, 44(2), 320–336. https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2022.2146578
Yusuf, F., Murdani, T., Fairus, F., & Rasyidah, R. (2025). Wasatiyyah Da’wah and Religious Freedom in Malaysia: A Constitutional Perspective. Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v13i2.1452
Zulkarnain M, R. D., & Syawaluddin, S. (2023). Perencanaan Dakwah Da’i dalam Mencegah Kemerosotan Akhlak Anak di Era Digitalisasi. Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 4(3), 610–619. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v4i3.555
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Wakidul Kohar, Martin Kustati, Jemkhairil Jemkhairil, Andri Ashadi, Muhammad Aqil, Putri Ananda Saka, Alfred Alfred (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms: (1) Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC-BY-SA) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal; (2) Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal; (3) Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website), as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).














