Islamic Web Series and Women’s Piety in Muslim Indonesia

This research explores the shaping effects of Islamic YouTube web series on contemporary Islam in Indonesia, focussing particularly on Muslim women. With underlying themes addressing personal goals such as marriage, family, and career achievements, these Islamic web series have gained significant popularity among female audiences. My analysis shows that Islamic web series tend to portray fictional, idealised, Muslim women that are modern, educated, yet sufficiently “domesticated”. Their narratives idealise a neoliberal Islamic identity that inspires female Muslims to seek education and financial autonomy, while also adhering to an ideal of Muslim womanhood that emphasises their roles as wives and mothers.