SPs Theater Room UIN Jakarta, SPs NEWS - The Graduate School (SPs) of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta held the 2793rd Thesis Exam at the Theater Room on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 with candidate Risa Alivia.

Risa is a student of the Master of Islamic Studies program with a concentration in Da'wah and Communication. His thesis is entitled "The Meaning of Sufistic Da'wah of the Naqsyabandiyah Haqqani Tarekat in Urban Communities in the Digital Environment".

This research departs from an interesting phenomenon regarding how the Sufism tradition which is synonymous with offline rituals is now transforming and penetrating the fast-paced digital world.

The main focus of Risa's research is directed at two crucial dimensions that are intertwined. First, he dissects the meaning of digital sufistic da'wah through the lens of semiotics, structuralism, and denotation and connotation analysis. Second, he examines the influence of digitalization on the purity of the teachings of the tarekat using the perspective  of al-aṣīlah Sufism.

Risa uses a virtual ethnographic approach to photograph the activities of pilgrims on various platforms, ranging from the eshaykh website, the Rumi Cafe YouTube channel, the Instagram account @haqqaniindonesia, to the WhatsApp group Zawiyah Haqqul Mubin.

Not only relying on digital footprints, Risa also strengthens the validity of her data through conventional techniques such as in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation. All of these data were then analyzed using the theory of meanings and media from Gill Branston and Roy Stafford, as well as the concept  of Sufism al-aṣīlah initiated by Asep Usman Ismail.

One of the interesting findings in this thesis is the argument that the practice of the Naqshbandiyah Haqqani (TNH) Tarekat on digital platforms has simplified the pattern of communication between mursyid and worshippers. Digital media cuts geographical distance without reducing the essence of spiritual interaction that has been a hallmark of the world of order.

The results of the study show that the da'wah model presented by TNH is very relevant for urban communities that have high mobility. Although articulated through cutting-edge technological devices, this practice is considered to remain adaptive to the times without having to lose its spiritual identity.

Risa emphasized that TNH has succeeded in presenting a fresh face of Sufism but still firmly rooted in the foundations of the Qur'an, hadith, and the traditions of classical scholars. He called this phenomenon a movement of tarekat that adopted the concept of "al-aṣīlah millennial", a combination of purity of teachings and modernity of the means of delivery.

Furthermore, this study concludes that digital platforms are only a strategic means for message transmission. Digitalization does not result in deviations from the basic principles of the tarekat, but rather serves to expand the reach of da'wah so that Sufistic messages can touch a wider niche of society without changing the substance of the teachings.

Academically, Risa's findings make an important contribution by refuting Ziyaulhaq Hidayat's (2022) thesis which states that there is a shift in orientation from the esoteric to the exoteric dimension in TNH. On the contrary, Risa proves that the inner depth (esoteric) is maintained even though it is displayed in a modern (exoteric) outer packaging.

This research also strengthens previous research by Rizki Briandana, Zakiya Fatihatur Rohma, and A.C.S. Peacock which affirms the significance of the sufistic spirit in contemporary da'wah practice. Risa Alivia's success in this exam is expected to enrich the literature on Islamic studies and communication in the digital era.

Risa Alivia successfully defended her thesis under the guidance of rof. Dr. Asep Usman Ismail, M.Ag, and tested in front of a board of examiners consisting of Hamdani, M.Ag, Ph.D; Prof. Dr. Asep Usman Ismail, M.Ag; Prof. Dr. Andi Faisal Bakti, MA; Dr. Arief Subhan, M.Ag.

After paying attention to the thesis writing, the comments of the examiner team and the candidate's answers, the examiner team determined that Risa Alivia graduated with the predicate of Very Satisfactory. Risa Alivia is the 2793rd Master in the field of Islamic Studies, in the Master's program of the Graduate School of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. (JA)