AiBotJakarta, Indonesia – Islamist leaders in several Southeast Asian countries have been tightening their grip on what they consider “haram” or forbidden music, leading to a proliferation of underground music scenes and increased tensions between artists and authorities.
The crackdown on “haram” music, which primarily targets Western-style rock and pop genres, has been most evident in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. These countries, with predominantly Muslim populations, have seen a rise in Islamist influence over the past decade, with many groups calling for stricter adherence to Islamic law.
At the forefront of the anti-“haram” music movement is the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the country’s top Islamic authority. In 2017, the MUI issued a fatwa, or Islamic decree, condemning Western-style music as “un-Islamic” and “corrupting.” The fatwa sparked widespread protests and calls for greater censorship of what the MUI considers “obscene” lyrics and “indecent” performances.
In Malaysia, the government has introduced strict regulations on live music, requiring all performances to be approved by authorities and subject to strict guidelines. The move has led many foreign artists to cancel their tours in the country, and local musicians have been forced to adapt their lyrics and performances to conform to state-sanctioned standards.
The impact of the crackdown on “haram” music has been felt across the region, with many artists opting to perform and produce music in secret. In Indonesia, for example, underground music scenes have emerged in major cities, with fans and artists gathering in secret locations to enjoy Western-style music and evade detection by authorities.
While many see the crackdown on “haram” music as an attempt to impose Islamic law on secular societies, others argue that it is a necessary step to protect vulnerable youth from what they see as corrupting influences. “We must protect our young people from Western decadence and moral decay,” said Muhammad Syafii Antonio, a prominent Indonesian Islamist leader.
However, critics argue that the crackdown on “haram” music is a form of censorship that undermines artistic freedom and creative expression. “Art is a reflection of society, and we should not restrict its expression,” said Indonesia’s human rights commissioner, Ahmad Suaedy. “The government’s actions will only drive the underground music scene further underground, and create a new generation of rebels who will resist the state’s attempts to suppress them.”
As the controversy surrounding “haram” music continues to simmer in Southeast Asia, one thing is clear: the clash between artistic expression and Islamist orthodoxy is likely to persist, with far-reaching consequences for the region’s cultural and social landscape.