Typology and Strengthening Strategy of Urban Sufism among the Kopiah Community in Jayapura

Abstract

This article highlights two main issues. First, how is the typology of urban Sufism practised by the Kopiah community in Jayapura city? Second, what is the strategy for strengthening Sufism among the Kopiah community in Jayapura city? This paper is the result of qualitative research using a case study technique. There are two sources: interviews and records in the form of films, images, and papers relating to the Kopiah community’s activities. According to this article, the Kopiah community practises urban Sufism in the form of tazkiyyat al-nafs. The tazkiyat al-nafs rite, on the other hand, has been innovatively and contextually changed. 1) Kopiah is a hijra community that follows an urban Sufi typology that is not linked formally with any Sufi sect and is more oriented to tazkiyat al-nafs. The Kopiah community, however, seems to be associated with the Alawiyah Order, based on the remembrance that is recited, because its members adopt the Ratib al-Haddad. 2) Tazkiyat al-nafs rituals in assembly with a loud voice; studying the Qur’an and fiqh; Islamic teachings via dialogues titled “Ngopi” (Ngobrol Perkara Iman/Talking about Faith) and “Ngobat” (Ngobrol Perkara Taubat/Talking about Repentance). This essay helps to the mapping and preliminary understanding of urban Sufism in eastern Indonesia, particularly in Jayapura.