The Potential of The Big Island of Melaka and the Tomb of Sultan al-Ariffin Sheikh Ismail as a Visitor-Friendly Religious Tourism Destination

Abstract

Abstract: Big Island Melaka is one of Malaysia's historical and religious tourist destinations. However, many people are unaware of the island's historical and religious significance. The purpose of this research is to explore and describe the current state and history of Melaka Big Island as an Islamic tourist destination through content analysis methodology. The results of the study found that the Big Island is a historical island that contributed greatly to the effective spread of Islam in Melaka and its surroundings. The existence of the tomb of Sultan al-Ariffin and other figures is the main attraction for many religious tourists to come to the Big Island to get to know more about the historical side of this Big Island. However, some tourists continue to engage in khurafat activities and violate Islamic restrictions. The Big Island should adopt the idea of Islamic tourism to make it free from aspects of shirk and khurafat as well as cosy and welcoming to visitors. Local authorities need to be concerned about monitoring the activities carried out by visitors to this Big Island. With various studies on programmes and activities that have been carried out, it is hoped that the management of Pulau Besar will be better for the purpose of being recognised as an Islamic tourist destination that is visited by tourists at the local and global levels. Abstrak: Pulau Besar Melaka merupakan antara destinasi pelancongan bersejarah dan keagamaan di Malaysia. Walau bagaimanapun, ramai orang tidak menyedari tentang pentingnya nilai sejarah dan aspek agama di pulau ini. Penulisan ini bertujuan bagi meneroka dan menghuraikan keadaan semasa dan sejarah Pulau Besar Melaka sebagai destinasi pelancongan Islam melalui metodologi kualitatif analisis dokumen. Hasil kajian mendapati bahawa Pulau Besar merupakan sebuah pulau bersejarah yang memberi sumbangan besar kepada kejayaan penyebaran Islam di Melaka dan sekitarnya. Keberadaan makam Sultan al-Ariffin serta tokoh lainnya merupakan tarikan utama pelancong keagamaan ramai datang ke Pulau Besar bagi mengenal lebih dalam sisi sejarah Pulau Besar ini. Namun demikian masih terdapat aktiviti khurafat serta dilarang agama yang dilakukan oleh sesetengah pengunjung. Konsep pelancongan Islam perlu diaplikasikan di Pulau Besar bagi menjadikan tempat pelancongan tersebut bebas daripada unsur syirik dan khurafat serta selesa dan mesra pengunjung. Pihak kerajaan tempatan perlu mengambil berat terhadap pengawasan aktiviti yang dijalankan pengunjung Pulau Besar ini. Dengan pelbagai kajian berkenaan program dan aktiviti yang telah dijalankan diharapkan pengurusan Pulau Besar ditambah baik bagi tujuan ianya diiktiraf sebagai destinasi pelancongan Islam yang ramai dikunjungi oleh pelancong di peringkat tempatan mahupun antarabangsa.