Religious Commodification: Media Construction in the Celebrities' Hijrah (Repetance)

Abstract

Hijrah (repentance) is defined as the transformative journey wherein individuals transition from behavior that deviates from the principles and Shari'a teaching to behavior that wholly conforms to its guidelines. Nowadays, hijrah is predominantly embraced by celebrities who serve as prominent role models, as it holds extensive societal references and impact. The main objective of this research is to investigate whether hijrah adopted by celebrities can be classified as a form of religious commodification and to examine the extent to which media construction predominantly attracts renowned celebrities. Media wields significant influence over the prominence and prevalence of celebrities' hijrah, marking it as a notable phenomenon. Moreover, within the academic discourse, media plays a crucial role in disseminating public figures' information, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of their presence and impact. This study adopts a qualitative method with a descriptive approach and incorporates the theory of agenda setting. The findings reveal that the media portrayal of celebrities' hijrah has led to a new form of commodification within the realm of religion. In general, society perceives celebrities' hijrah as an emerging trend that significantly contributes to their popularity.