In recent phenomena Islamic symbol has been attached or occupied on the popular culture within Indonesian society. The fact shows that society; in general, begin to accept these Islamic symbols in wide range of public sphere. The indication reveals in music, dressings, movies and some image on public figures. In 2000’s, begun with Gigi band, a new arrangement of Islamic music has accepted by youth group and became a new trend in Indonesian music industries. Afterward there has been many music groups released religious album in every Ramadhan month. Previously, it was difficult to introduce Islamic traditional music into market.
Fashion industry was also affected with this Islamization trends. Compared with decade of 80’s and early 90’s, Islamic dressing has been accepted in offices, government, school and other public facilities. Therefore it was easy to find people wear Islamic dress or Islamic dressing stores in mall. In turn, Muslim dressing was grows together with fashion development and shows significant progress with the emergence of Islamic boutiques in every corner of cities. Along with these trends, entertainment world was also influenced by the spreading of Islamic symbol. Some actress and public figures are not hesitating to show their Muslim identity, even outside the regular Ramadhan month. In addition, the movies industry comes to appreciate Islamic theme in movies after Ayat-Ayat Cinta got wide appreciation from public.
Regarding this new trend, popularizing Islamic symbol was in accordance with the acceptance of Islamic symbol in popular culture. However, the position of Islamic culture before is rather peculiar. It is neither in high culture nor in popular culture. It is stand in the periphery position with differentiate with both cultural concepts. It means that Islamic culture neither part of high culture which associated with elite and a power group nor engages in popular culture.
These reception phenomena has been growing together with; first, strengthening of Islamic value within modern Muslim in Indonesia. It shows that, the impact of modernization and democracy are encouraging the religious resurgence as in the cases of Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia where religious activities are increasing.
Secondly, the emergence of Muslim intellectual whom fills many critical positions both in state or public sphere. These new Muslim intellectual class was a result of reorientation of Islam politic by state during the New Order. As the result, Islamic social movement has been focusing on education and cultural aspects. Youth muslim responded by elaborating discussion groups and study clubs about Islamic issue in secular universities.
Thirdly, there are mutual understanding between Islamic group and state concerning Islam, especially in the early of 90’s. As it was widely known in 80’s and early 90’s, Islamic symbol such as dressing and music was associated with old fashion and traditional against western fashion and music as representation of modernity. Further, the condition was changing following the accommodation of Muslim and Islamic ideas by state. In turn, Islamic symbol is allowed to present in public sphere.
Forth, it is because of media impact. Media has important role to spread an understanding about Islam. The increasing of media is influencing to the introduction of Islamic culture into wide ranged social classes and status in society. Therefore, it has been changed public opinion about Islam gradually.
In sum, Islamic value has been growing together with the change of political, social and economical condition in society. Instead, Modernization and democracy are giving space to the spreading of Islamic culture into society. As it appear in urban mode, music and entertainment.
