Majelis Taklim in Medan City, 1950–2023: A Historical Study of Institutional Development and Activity Transformation

Nelly Agustina; Rahmayani Siregar; Raudho Zaini; Hirawati Hirawati; Nurkholijah Siregar

doi:10.58421/gehu.v5i4.1962

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58421/gehu.v5i4.1962

Authors

Nelly Agustina Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Raudhatul Akmal
Rahmayani Siregar Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri Mandailing Natal
Raudho Zaini Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Raudhatul Akmal
Hirawati Hirawati Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Raudhatul Akmal
Nurkholijah Siregar Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Raudhatul Akmal

Keywords:

Religious Study Group, Islamic History, Non-formal Islamic Education, Preaching, City of Medan

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the historical development of majelis taklim in Medan City during the period from 1950 to 2023, including its emergence, institutional development, transformation of activities, and role in the social and religious life of the community. The study employs a historical research method with a qualitative approach through observation, interviews, and documentation, utilizing both primary and secondary sources that were verified through source criticism, interpretation, and historiography. The findings indicate that, during the early period, majelis taklim developed as community-based religious study groups that served to meet the community's religious educational needs and strengthen social solidarity. Subsequently, its institutional structure underwent a process of institutionalization through the establishment of organizational structures, division of responsibilities, work programs, and coordination networks such as the Badan Kontak Majelis Taklim. The activities of majelis taklim also diversified from routine religious study sessions into Quranic learning, Islamic studies, religious preaching, charitable assistance, social activities, family development programs, commemoration of Islamic holidays, and the utilization of digital media. These findings demonstrate that majelis taklim has been able to maintain its educational and religious development functions while simultaneously adapting to social, institutional, and technological changes. The novelty of this study lies in its longitudinal historical reconstruction spanning more than seven decades, integrating sociopolitical, institutional, and activity-transformation dimensions within a single study. This perspective positions majelis taklim as a dynamic social and religious institution that has continuously evolved alongside the social and urban development of Medan City.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

F. Handayani, M. H. Basari, N. Nurhidayah, D. Fatwanti and O. Arinindyah, "Implementation of Boarding School Learning in Building Religious Character at SMA Daarul Qur’an Bandung," AL GHAZALI: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pemikiran Islam, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 229-246, 2025.

G. Evolvi, "Religion and the internet: digital religion, (hyper)mediated spaces, and materiality," Zeitschrift für Religion, Gesellschaft und Politik, vol. 6, no. 1, p. 19–25, 2022.

N. Agustina, H. Asari and S. Sumanti, "The Role of Majlis Taklim in Medan City: Institutional Growth, Religious Education, and Social Transformation," DINIKA : Academic Journal of Islamic Studies, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 25-48, 2024.

I. F. L. Marpaung, Y. D. Siregar and A. M. Syam, "Habib Ali bin Abdurrahman Alhabsyi Kwitang: Kontribusi Sosial Keagamaan dan Perjuangan Nasionalisme, 1889–1968," Local History & Heritage, vol. 5, no. 1, p. 47–53, 2025.

M. Shalahuddin, M. M. Arromy, M. Mahmud and M. Erihadiana, "Strategy for Implementing Religious Moderation in Islamic Education Management," Journal Corner of Education, Linguistics, and Literature, vol. 4, no. 1, p. 47–55, 2024.

D. R. Van Tongeren, C. N. DeWall, Z. Chen, C. G. Sibley and J. Bulbulia, "Religious residue: Cross-cultural evidence that religious psychology and behavior persist following deidentification," Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 120, no. 2, p. 484–503, 2021.

S. Darajat, W. H. Trabeni, K. Karno and A. F. Benihingan, "Islamic Social and Political Movements in East Nusa Tenggara A Phenomenological Historical Study," Internasional Journal of Politics and Public Policy, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 11-28, 2025.

R. Rahmadi, Z. Jamalie and H. Yaqin, "Banjarese Scholars and the Evolution of Islamic Education in South Kalimantan Circa 1900-1950," Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam (Journal of Islamic Education Studies), vol. 12, no. 1, p. 63–94, 2024.

P. P. Pangestu, "Mobilization of Da'wah Resources for Chinese Muslims in Indonesia," Komunika: Jurnal Dakwah dan Komunikasi, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 221-230, 2023.

F. Arfana, A. Nirwanab, M. Fuadia, N. Fadlic and A. S. Ana, "Contribution of Ali Hasjmy’s Legacy of Thought to Aceh Islamic Education," Suhuf: International Journal of Islamic Studies, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 183-198, 2024.

A. Hamdan, Miski and F. M. A. Ibrahim, "Collaborative Qur’anic Transmission in the Ngaji Tradition: The Case of Peripheral Muslim Community in Nusa Pandau, Indonesia," Kalam, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 143-166, 2026.

Kuntowijoyo, Pengantar ilmu sejarah, Yogyakarta: Tiara Wacana, 2013.

S. Kartodirdjo, Pendekatan ilmu sosial dalam metodologi sejarah, Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka, 1992.

H. Sjamsuddin, Metodologi sejarah, Yogyakarta: Ombak, 2012.

D. Abdurahman, Metodologi penelitian sejarah, Yogyakarta: Ar-Ruzz Media, 2007.

L. Gottschalk, Mengerti sejarah, Jakarta: Universitas Indonesia Press, 1986.

M. C. Ricklefs, Sejarah Indonesia modern 1200–2008, Jakarta: Serambi Ilmu Semesta, 2008.

A. D. Kosasih and R. M. Agung, "The History of Muhammadiyah Education in Banyumas from Colonial Period to the Old Order," Berkala Ilmiah Pendidikan, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 398-410, 2026.

T. K. Chiu, "Future research recommendations for transforming higher education with generative AI," Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, vol. 6, no. 1, p. 100197, 2024.

T. Gkrimpizi, V. Peristeras and I. Magnisalis, "Classification of Barriers to Digital Transformation in Higher Education Institutions: Systematic Literature Review," Education Sciences, vol. 13, no. 7, p. 746, 2023.

A. N. Sadigh, T. Asgari and M. Rabiei, "Digital Transformation in the Value Chain Disruption of Banking Services," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, vol. 13, no. 1, p. 1212–1242, 2022.

F. Imran, K. Shahzad, A. Butt and J. Kantola, "Digital Transformation of Industrial Organizations: Toward an Integrated Framework," Journal of Change Management Reframing Leadership and Organizational Practice, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 451-479, 2021.

S. Ivaldi, G. Scaratti and E. Fregnan, "Dwelling within the fourth industrial revolution: organizational learning for new competences, processes and work cultures," Journal of Workplace Learning, vol. 34, no. 1, p. 1–26, 2022.

D. B. Audretsch, M. Belitski and N. Cherkas, "Entrepreneurial ecosystems in cities: The role of institutions," PLoS ONE, vol. 16, no. 3, p. e0247609, 2021.

C. Gaglio, E. K. Mbula and E. Lorenz, "The effects of digital transformation on innovation and productivity: Firm-level evidence of South African manufacturing micro and small enterprises," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, vol. 182, no. 1, p. 121785, 2022.

Q. Xia, X. Weng, F. Ouyang, T. J. Lin and T. K. Chiu, "A scoping review on how generative artificial intelligence transforms assessment in higher education," International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, vol. 21, no. 1, p. 40, 2024.

A. A. Vărzaru and C. G. Bocean, "Digital Transformation and Innovation: The Influence of Digital Technologies on Turnover from Innovation Activities and Types of Innovation," Systems, vol. 12, no. 9, p. 359, 2024.

H. Li, Y. Wu, D. Cao and Y. Wang, "Organizational mindfulness towards digital transformation as a prerequisite of information processing capability to achieve market agility," Journal of Business Research, vol. 122, no. 1, pp. 700-712, 2021.

E. E. Bennett and R. R. McWhorter, "Virtual HRD’s Role in Crisis and the Post Covid-19 Professional Lifeworld: Accelerating Skills for Digital Transformation," Advances in Developing Human Resources, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 51-73, 2021.

B. H. Leso, M. N. Cortimiglia and A. Ghezzi, "The contribution of organizational culture, structure, and leadership factors in the digital transformation of SMEs: a mixed-methods approach," Cognition, Technology & Work, vol. 25, no. 1, p. 151–179, 2023.

M. Akour and M. Alenezi, "Higher Education Future in the Era of Digital Transformation," Education Sciences, vol. 12, no. 11, p. 784, 2022.

T. Burström, V. Parida, T. Lahti and J. Wincent, "AI-enabled business-model innovation and transformation in industrial ecosystems: A framework, model and outline for further research," Journal of Business Research, vol. 127, no. 1, pp. 85-95, 2021.

B. Bygstad, E. Øvrelid, S. Ludvigsen and M. Dæhlen, "From dual digitalization to digital learning space: Exploring the digital transformation of higher education," Computers & Education, vol. 182, no. 1, p. 104463, 2022.

A. Hanelt, R. Bohnsack, D. Marz and C. A. Marante, "A Systematic Review of the Literature on Digital Transformation: Insights and Implications for Strategy and Organizational Change," Journal of Management Studies, vol. 58, no. 5, pp. 1159-1197, 2021.

S. Nadkarni and R. Prügl, "Digital transformation: a review, synthesis and opportunities for future research," Management Review Quarterly, vol. 71, no. 1, p. 233–341, 2021.

T. J. Marion and S. K. Fixson, "The Transformation of the Innovation Process: How Digital Tools are Changing Work, Collaboration, and Organizations in New Product Development," Journal of Product Innovation Management, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 192-215, 2021.

N. Stern and A. Valero, "Innovation, growth and the transition to net-zero emissions," Research Policy, vol. 50, no. 9, p. 104293, 2021.

E. J. Omol, "Organizational digital transformation: from evolution to future trends," Digital Transformation and Society, vol. 3, no. 3, p. 240–256, 2024.

F. Pettersson, "Understanding digitalization and educational change in school by means of activity theory and the levels of learning concept," Education and Information Technologies, vol. 26, no. 1, p. 187–204, 2021.

K. R. M. Namara, "Transforming Europe? The EU's industrial policy and geopolitical turn," Journal of European Public Policy, vol. 31, no. 9, pp. 2371-2396, 2024.