As reported on the official website of the Doctor of Islamic Politics-Political Science Program, UMY’s Doctoral Program student in Islamic Politics-Political Science, Christine B. Tenorio, attended the 19th Annual International Conference on Islamic Studies (AICIS) held by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. The conference took place over 4 days, from October 1-4, 2019, at Mercure Hotel Jakarta.
Together with Dr. Hasse J., M.A (Secretary of the Islamic Politics-Political Science Study Program), Christine participated in a panel discussion entitled “Internet of Religion: Knowledge Production & Consumption among The Muslim”. On this occasion, Christine presented her paper titled “Internet of Religion: Knowledge Production & Consumption among The Muslim & Christina Society”.
Christine explained the use of the internet as a medium for da’wah by religious preachers. She cited two famous online preachers in Indonesia and the Philippines: Abdul Somad and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. Through a comparative analysis of these two popular preachers, she presented findings on the current situation of the internet and religion in the Philippines and Indonesia.
She found that, firstly, Indonesians are more susceptible to digital religious news compared to Filipinos. Secondly, both religious leaders, with their religious perspectives, touch and convince the hearts of Filipinos and Indonesians through their words and wisdom as products with unique preaching styles and charisma. Thirdly, Indonesian religious preachers are more susceptible to political issues. This is because, unlike Filipino religious preachers, their influence is not limited by the law of separation between church and state.
