MIMBAR, Vol. 33, No. 2nd (December, 2017), pp. 445-452

Islamic Content On Malaysian TV: A Case study of TV Al Hijrah

1JULIANA ABDUL WAHAB, 2ZATIL HIDAYAH ABDULLAH

12School of Communication, Universiti Sains , Penang, Malaysia Email: [email protected] ; [email protected]

Abstract.Religion and media are converging and frequently becoming a subject matter for news content and popular entertainment programmes in television and film, publishing, music as well as the new media. Religion, arguably has become part and parcel of the media environment today. In Malaysian context, during the millennium era, many locally produced ‘Islamic programmes’ started to gain popularity among Malaysian audience especially within the entertainment genre such as television drama. With the establishment of Malaysian first Islamic free-to-air television, TV Al Hijrah in 2010, this paper aims to understand the nature of Islamic content available on the station. The preliminary findings of this paper suggest that there are varieties of television programmes created and aired on TV Al Hijrah cutting across different genres meant for disseminating Islam as a way of life. Programmes available are mainly about showcasing the values of Islamic teaching and beliefs with the ultimate goal to highlight Islam as a beautiful and peaceful religion. Keywords: Islamic tv content, TV Al Hijrah, fiqh broadcasting

Introduction there are more demands for religion materials on the media in the recent years partly due In contemporary setting, religion and to the changes in the perspectives about the issues concerning religion have become importance of religion-related issues among one of the most important topics that have the masses. resurfaced and gain prominence in the media around the globe. Since the September 11 Islamophobia has been an issue ever tragedy, more coverage about religion were since the September 11, 2001 attacks up until produced and circulated on various media now. It has become increasingly prevalent platforms. Hoover (2008) observes that the in the wake of ISIS attacks all over the interaction between media and religion is world – the ideology and activities of ISIS becoming more apparent as both media and have been equated to Islam, and Muslims in religion have endured significant changes general are being portrayed in a very negative in the recent years. Hoover (2008) further light in the media. In May 2015, argues, religion and media are converging Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted and frequently becoming a subject matter that Southeast Asia had emerged as a “key for news content and popular entertainment recruitment center” for ISIS. Prime Minister programmes in television and film, publishing, Lee highlighted that, “The threat is no longer music as well as the new media. Religion has over there; it is over here.” (Samuel, 2016). arguably become part and parcel of the media At the regional level, Malaysia has environment today. taken up steps to participate in the ASEAN In the media industry, there have declarations in combating transnational been many changes in the development crime and terrorism to ensure national and of technology which have resulted in the regional stabilities. The Malaysian government opening of different platforms that are able recognizes media as a powerful tool in to disseminate media content and messages disseminating ideas about religion, thus, in for the masses. The presence and discussion 2010 Malaysia’s first free-to-air Islamic TV about religion on the media have become channel, TV Al Hijrah was established, partly a common practice and are increasingly as a response to the increasingly negative popular. In fact Hoover (2008) points out that remarks about Islam. During the launch of

Received: August 10, 2017, Revision: October 04, 2017, Accepted: December 18, 2017 Print ISSN: 0215-8175; Online ISSN: 2303-2499. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.29313 Accr