Political Islam: Preachers in Malaysia, Indonesia with millions-strong online flocks unafraid of rocking the boat

Mdm Aisya, who is in her 30s, said: “Ustaz Azhar Idrus’ lectures are accessible to youths. I have been following him since I was younger; with him, it’s so easy for youths to understand difficult concepts.

“Other clerics seem so serious, right? But Ustaz Azhar Idrus conveys knowledge to young people in a simple way, mixed with some jokes but the message is clear and impactful,” she added. 

Ustaz Azhar said he injects humour into his lectures to sustain followers’ attention so that the knowledge he shares gets through to them. 

“Because my lectures are long – the shortest are an hour – and studies show that if the human body sits still for 40 minutes, they will feel tired and sleepy, and not be able to remember the points I’m saying,” he added. 

Mdm Aisya acknowledged that her world view as well as thoughts on Malaysia’s political situation are shaped by what she learns from preachers like Ustaz Azhar. 

“During his lecture, Ustaz Azhar has said himself that the state of this country is neither here nor there,” said Mdm Aisya. 

“He brought up (the possibility of) LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) concerts being held in Ramadan (if permitted by the current government). What should our opinion be if our leaders allow LGBT concerts to be held in the holy month?” she asked. 

INDONESIAN PREACHERS LEVERAGING POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA

The recent elections in Indonesia was a means for Ustaz Haikal Hassan to share with his followers his political leanings, though he told CNA he did not initially intend to use social media to preach about politics. 

“Initially, my social media content was motivational, and then I expanded to preaching,” he said, adding that he had “no choice” but to be politically involved especially during last month’s presidential and legislative elections. 

Ustaz Haikal used the opportunity to show his support for current Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, who won the presidential election on his third try. 

Ustaz Haikal became more politically vocal on social media during the Jakarta gubernatorial election in 2017 when society was polarised between two candidates: Former education minister Anies Baswedan, a Muslim of Arab descent, and incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian of Chinese descent.

“At that time, I felt a calling to support Mr Anies Baswedan as governor rather than Mr Basuki.

“(And) in 2019, I continued (preaching during the presidential election) and said Mr Prabowo is the right person to lead (Indonesia),” Ustaz Haikal said. That year, Mr Prabowo lost to incumbent President Joko Widodo.

Identity politics marred the 2019 presidential and legislative elections and Jakarta’s 2017 gubernatorial elections, observers have previously noted. 

Now that Mr Prabowo is set to become Indonesia’s next president, Ustaz Haikal said he would criticise the incoming president if he did “something bad” which does not align with Islamic teachings.

“I love him, so I will criticise him. What is good must be held on to and the bad must be criticised,” he said.

Acknowledging the influence he wields, Ustaz Haikal said social media has allowed him to reach out to people he would otherwise not be able to.

“If I preach at a mosque, there will be around 500 people. But on social media, we can reach out to millions of people,” he said.