Hijrah and the rise of Nasyid Kontemporari in Malaysia

Abstract

In this chapter, the authors look into the Muslim concept of hijrah, considering its multiple meanings and connotations. It explores individuals, groups, and this musical genre’s multifaceted relations to social and political dynamics prior to and during the 1990s and 2000s, locally and globally by considering hijrah and its multiple meanings. In the 1990s nasyid would be performed by male acapella groups resembling Western pop boy bands singing catchy tunes in harmony with simple pop arrangements. This popular version of nasyid was later known as nasyid kontemporari and a new musical genre was created. The development of nasyid and nasyid kontemporari can be attributed to the da’wah movement in countries like Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, and Kuwait which spread to other parts of the Muslim world including Malaysia. Nasyid kontemporari was also being promoted by the state through IKIM or the Malaysian Institute for Islamic Development.