The dynamics of self-identity among habaib lovers: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of Indonesian Generation Z

Dedy Surya (Department of Islamic Psychology, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Langsa, Aceh, Indonesia)
Zulkarnain Zulkarnain (Department of Islamic Communication and Broadcasting, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Langsa, Aceh, Indonesia)
Dessy Rahmawati (Department of Islamic Guidance and Counseling, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Langsa, Aceh, Indonesia)
Ranji Julian Santika (Department of Islamic Guidance and Counseling, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Langsa, Aceh, Indonesia)

INSPIRA: Indonesian Journal of Psychological Research
Vol 4 No 2 (2023): Vol. 4 No. 2 December 2023

This article explores the self-identity dynamics of Generation Z habaib lovers in Indonesia. Data were collected through 60 to 120 minutes of in-depth interviews with ten members of Habib-led assemblies identified as part of Generation Z (aged 12-27 years) selected through a purposive sampling technique. A qualitative approach was chosen, with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) with the help of NVivo 12 software to organize the data. Three subordinate themes emerged: the motivation to become a habaib lover, the process of searching for self-identity, and cohesiveness towards the habaib assembly. These themes are related to the formation of self-identity in Generation Z. This study concludes that the self-identity of the youth members of the community is shaped and catalyzed by the meaning of holiness of the habaib as a prophet's descendant figure. The findings contribute to developing the concept of Muslim youth self-identity through empirical studies on adolescent self-identity formation.