The Role of Framing in Mobilization
Case Study of Riza Basalamah’s Gathering at Masjid Assalam
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The democratization of Indonesia’s public sphere in the post-Reformasi era has been accompanied by various forms of social and religious mobilization, ranging from peaceful collective action to episodes of open confrontation. One of the most recent and notable cases is the rejection of Syafiq Riza Basalamah’s religious gathering at Masjid Assalam by Nahdlatul Ulama–affiliated organizations, namely GP Ansor and Banser. This study examines the incident as an empirical case study of religious mobilization in contemporary Indonesia. Drawing on the framing perspective within social movement theory, this study analyzes how meanings, threats, and justifications were constructed to legitimize collective action. Using qualitative desk research, including relevant academic literature and data from news reports, social media, and online platforms, this study investigates the role of framing in Nahdlatul Ulama’s mobilization against a Salafi preacher. The findings show that the interplay of ideology, strategy, and urgency was central to the framing process that enabled mobilization. This study contributes theoretical and empirical insights into the dynamics of intra-Islamic contestation and religious mobilization in Indonesia.
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