Journal of General Education and Humanities
Vol. 5 No. 4 (2026): August

Majelis Taklim in Medan City, 1950–2023: A Historical Study of Institutional Development and Activity Transformation

Nelly Agustina (Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Raudhatul Akmal)
Rahmayani Siregar (Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Tarbiyah Serdang Bedagai)
Raudho Zaini (Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Raudhatul Akmal)
Hirawati Hirawati (Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Raudhatul Akmal)
Nurkholijah Siregar (Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Raudhatul Akmal)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Aug 2026

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the historical development of majelis taklim in Medan City during the period from 1950 to 2023, including its emergence, institutional development, transformation of activities, and role in the social and religious life of the community. The study employs a historical research method with a qualitative approach through observation, interviews, and documentation, utilizing both primary and secondary sources that were verified through source criticism, interpretation, and historiography. The findings indicate that, during the early period, majelis taklim developed as community-based religious study groups that served to meet the community's religious educational needs and strengthen social solidarity. Subsequently, its institutional structure underwent a process of institutionalization through the establishment of organizational structures, division of responsibilities, work programs, and coordination networks such as the Badan Kontak Majelis Taklim. The activities of majelis taklim also diversified from routine religious study sessions into Quranic learning, Islamic studies, religious preaching, charitable assistance, social activities, family development programs, commemoration of Islamic holidays, and the utilization of digital media. These findings demonstrate that majelis taklim has been able to maintain its educational and religious development functions while simultaneously adapting to social, institutional, and technological changes. The novelty of this study lies in its longitudinal historical reconstruction spanning more than seven decades, integrating sociopolitical, institutional, and activity-transformation dimensions within a single study. This perspective positions majelis taklim as a dynamic social and religious institution that has continuously evolved alongside the social and urban development of Medan City.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

gehu

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Mathematics Other

Description

The Journal of General Education and Humanities (GEHU) is a peer-reviewed scholarly online journal. The GEHU is published quarterly in February, May, August, and November. The GEHU is a non-profit journal whose publication is free of charge. The articles should be original, unpublished, and not ...