The Communication Experiences of the Muslim Community Through Cross-Religious Ritual Involvement in Moluccas, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15826/csp.2026.10.2.390

Abstract

The empirical analysis in this work presents an interpretation of religious attitudes expressed through the cross-religious (Muslim–Christian) ibadah orang basudara (worship of brothers) ritual held at the Immanuel Church of GPM Amahusu Klasis, Moluccas, Indonesia, on December 2, 2018. Religious symbols played a significant role in the “ibadah orang basudara,” including the chanting of the call to prayer, lafadz Rawi Barzanji, the call to worship, singing hymns of praise, and lighting Advent candles. Symbols included chanting the call to prayer, lafadz Rawi barzanji, and the call to worship, singing hymns of praise, and lighting Advent candles. This article explores phenomenological approaches to understanding Muslim community involvement in cross-religious rituals. The findings indicate that the subjective experiences of the Muslim community’s involvement in cross-religious rituals can be classified as resigned involvement, accepting involvement, diversity, equality, and togetherness. These subjective experiences take the form of participation in the recitation of the chanting of the call to prayer and lafadz Rawi barzanji. The involvement of the Muslim community is motivated by ignorance, entrapment, meeting relationships, acceptance and treatment, proof of identity, and kinship, and the Muslim community interprets their involvement as deviation, regret, and side-by-side experiences. The implication of these results is that the Muslim community’s ritual involvement serves as proof of self-identity, with the hope of building a harmonious relationship.

Author Biographies

Andi Fitriyani, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Ambon, Ambon, Indonesia

Andi Fitriyani is a lecturer at State Islamic Institute Ambon, Indonesia. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia. His works were presented in conferences and published in accredited scientific journals.

Sulaeman Sulaeman, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Ambon, Ambon, Indonesia

Sulaeman Sulaeman received a Doctorate in the Communication Science Program from Padjadjaran University, Jatinangor, West Java, Indonesia, in 2014 with DIKTI scholarship—studying social health representation and the relationship between the people with oligodactyly, the family and the community. He is a lecturer at State Islamic Institute Ambon, Indonesia, Communication Departemen. Head of Indonesian Communication Association in Moluccas. His works were presented in conferences and published in accredited scientific journals.

Ali Nurdin, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia

Ali Nurdin is a Communication Studies Lecturer at the Da'wah and Communication Faculty of UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya, Indonesia. Teaching courses; Introduction to Communication Studies, Interpersonal Communication Theory, Group and Organizational Communication, and Communication Research Methods. A researcher in the fields of social communication, media, organization, culture, and social religion. An activist of social communication and media literacy.

Irta Sulastri, Universitas Islam Negeri Imam Bonjol Padang, Padang, Indonesia

Irta Sulastri received a Doctorate in the communication science Program from Padjadjaran University, Jatinangor, West Java, Indonesia, in 2015 with DIKTI scholarship—studying social health representation and the relationship between the people with oligodactyly, the family, and the community. He is a lecturer at Islamic State University Imam Bonjol Padang, Indonesia, Communication Departemen. His works were presented in conferences and published in accredited scientific journals.

M. Ridwan, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Ambon, Ambon, Indonesia

M. Ridwan obtained a cum-laude Doctorate in civil law from Pattimura State University, Moluccas, Indonesia in 2018. He is a lecturer at State Islamic Institute Ambon, Indonesia. The focus of his research interest is in the field of anthropology, social, civil law, Islamic law.

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Published
2026-07-15
How to Cite
Fitriyani, A., Sulaeman, S., Nurdin, A., Sulastri, I., & Ridwan, M. (2026). The Communication Experiences of the Muslim Community Through Cross-Religious Ritual Involvement in Moluccas, Indonesia. Changing Societies & Personalities, 10(2), 399-417. doi:10.15826/csp.2026.10.2.390
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Vol. 10, No. 2 (2026)
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