THE PHENOMENON OF ISLAMIC POPULAR NOVEL IN MALAYSIA AND INDONESIA: READING HABIBURRAHMAN EL-SHIRAZY’S AYATAYAT CINTA AND ZAID AKHTAR’S SALJU SAKINAH

This article attempt to continue the discussion about the Islamic popular novel which has a phenomenon in Malaysia and Indonesia early 2003 until now. The tendency of author who has the background from the serious Islamic literature and then producing the Islamic popular literature seem ironic. If the serious Islamic novel requires the author to use the philosophy and thought in his literary work, the popular Islamic novel is more in accordance with current tastes. Other characteristics found in the title, illustrations, novel covers, themes and the backgrounds of publisher. This article focused Salju Sakinah (2011) by Zaid Akhtar and Ayat-Ayat Cinta (2006) by Habiburrahman El-Shirazy. The study found that the two of authors make the popular as their strategies to present Islam more effectively. However, Zaid Akhtar focused the Islamic national issues in Malaysia and Habiburrahman El-Shirazy portray the global relations between Muslims and Christians.