Many Indonesians Love Arabic Music

We know the Turkish people follow Arabic music and sometimes borrow from it as well. But I have been seeing an increased traffic on this blog from Indonesia as they translate some of my blog posts. But now I am reading that this is an old thing not a recent tradition.

When Islam reached Indonesia, it was brought to them by Muslims Sufi traders who enjoy poetry and music. Those traders brought the religion to that land and used their art to draw people closer to the religion. You will be surprised to know that the songs that are popular with Indonesians are the old school Arabic songs or religious nature.

Such songs are played at weddings, and sometimes after/before prayer service. the mosques speakers play such music right before or after the Muslim call to prayer. Oum Kalthoum song "Nahj Al Bordah" is a popular hit. Asmahan, the Syrian diva's song about prophet Mohammad are on the playlist.

This is kind of cool to see a large country as Indonesia with such a vast culture finds some value in classical Arabic entertainment or religious nature. Indonesia is a fascinating example where culture, peaceful ways and leading by example brought Islam to millions of people in that land without having to swing a sword.

ام كلثوم - نهج البرده
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