REFLECTION OF
ISLAMIC EDUCATIONAL REALITY
TV
By Mohamad Muhidin Patahol Wasli
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Reality TV is the most popular genre of television programming and with the rise of 'Popular
Islam' give birth to Islamic reality television in Malaysia. It is created to cater niche market for
Malaysian Muslim. This Islamic reality TV is seen as an alternative to give fresh approach
portraying Islam in media. For example, talent-based show; Akademi Nasyid and Akademi al-
Quran (TV9), Qari Junior (TV3) and Tahfiz Muda (Astro Oasis), character development-based
show; Imam Muda, Ustazah Pilihan and Pencetus Ummah (Astro Oasis), Muslimah (TV Al-
Hijrah) and Daie Pendakwah Millenia (TV3), and Game show; Family Sarjana (Astro Oasis).
Thus, the emergence of these TV programmes raised issues regarding content productions and
audience receptions of manifested Islamic content in Islamic Reality TV show. Therefore, this
study aims to understand the process of negotiating judgments on Malaysia Muslim viewers
towards Imam Muda Islamic Educational reality show.
As for setting up the research observation and interview, the participants agreed to conduct it
in the bedroom as they were comfortable watching television in the bedroom. The researcher
briefed them the consents and acquired their permission to record the viewing session. The
researcher placed two cameras on each side and a voice recorder nearer to them in case their
voice is inaudible. The researcher played the recording of Imam Muda season 3 episode 5 on
their television. Observation ran for 45 minutes without commercial breaks and individual
interview after the viewing session.
Findings
The findings categorised into the empirical reactions and response recorded during TV
viewing, the actual explanation of their attitudes and the real manifested content portrayed in
Imam Muda season 3 episode 5. This stratification of ontology shows that the existences of the
real are not dependant on what the viewers know about the manifested content. It is based on
the viewer's personal experience and knowledge which is relative and fallible.
Conclusion
For future research, it is beneficial to conduct an observation and focus group discussion to
understand the dynamics of viewers reflections of their experience and knowledge while
watching Imam Muda. It is also suggested that, this research to be expanded to non-Muslims
viewers watching Islamic Education content and understand the way they reacted toward
manifested Islamic educational content especially in Islamic TV programmes.
(750 words)