Performing Arab Saints and Marketing the Prophet: Habaib and Islamic Markets in Contemporary Indonesia

Abstract

Post-Soeharto Indonesia has witnessed the proliferation of young Arab preachers along with their sermon groups (majelis ta‘lim and zikr) in urban areas. The preachers who claim descent from the Prophet are popularly called habib (sing.) or habaib (pl.) Their sermon groups are highly mobile in various public spaces and have attracted thousands of followers predominantly from among Muslim youths. This essay locates the proliferation of habaib sermon groups in the context of burgeoning Islamic commodification in Indonesia. It considers habaib as religious entrepreneurs who promote their religious products in an expanding religious market. Focusing on Habib Hasan’s da‘wa and his marketing strategies it argues that, unlike other celebrity preachers who largely capitalize on their public speaking skills, the habaib preachers gain their religious authority and popularity through commodification of their habib status (as descendants of the Prophet) and their Arabness through adept use of new media and popular culture that accommodates the aspirations of Muslim youth.