Socio-Cultural Transformation through Modern Qasidah Music in Semarang City

Abstract

Modern qasidah music in Semarang has experienced remarkable growth and continues to influence the dynamics of urban Muslim society. This study explores how modern qasidah extends beyond the scope of religious entertainment to function as a platform for cultural acculturation, social interaction, and value transmission. Using a sociological framework of Islamic music, the research highlights that the study affirms that qasidah strengthens Islamic identity while negotiating the relationship between tradition and modernity. The study also emphasizes the inclusive social spaces created by qasidah performances that bring together diverse audiences in urban settings. Data were obtained through literature review, participant observation of festivals and community performances, and documentation of young people’s enculturation processes, including artists’ adaptation strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings indicate that modern qasidah operates as a performative cultural practice that blends religious values, Javanese cultural identity, and mechanisms of social transformation. This study affirms the position of Qasidah Modern as both a medium for cultural education and a resilient tradition, offering valuable contributions to the global discourse on contemporary Islamic art and urban religiosity.