1,097 Participants Join Colossal ISHARI Art Performance in Pasuruan
A total of 1,0ability97 people participated in the Colossal ISHARI (Ikatan Seni Hadrah Indonesia) event in Pasuruan Regency. Thousands of participants chanted Prophet’s salawat accompanied by hadrah art performances and the distinctive ISHARI movements at the Pasuruan Regent’s Office courtyard.
The event took place on Friday night (25/09/2026) and was attended by participants who were mostly students. The Vice Regent of Pasuruan, Shobih Asrori, was also present, chanting salawat lyrics and performing the signature ISHARI movements alongside the participants.
Pasuruan Vice Regent Shobih Asrori explained that Pasuruan Regency is widely known as a stronghold for strong religious traditions, one of which is the ISHARI hadrah art.
“ISHARI is one of the legacies of our elders, formed by KH Abdul Rohim and later authorised by KH Wahab Hasbullah, who was subsequently designated as the Father of ISHARI,” he stated in a written statement on Monday (28/09/2026).
Shobih also expressed his appreciation for the large number of children participating in the Lailatul Hadrah activity, noting that it demonstrates that ISHARI is not intended solely for the older generation.
“Alhamdulillah, ISHARI this time was attended by many young children. Thus, it does not appear that ISHARI is only for the elderly,” he said.
He emphasised that the hadrah art within ISHARI possesses a different character compared to modern hadrah, such as Banjari. This difference is evident in the types of percussion, rhythms, and the meaning contained within every sequence of the performance.
Shobih added that introducing the art to the younger generation is a vital part of maintaining the existence of ISHARI hadrah art.
“Introduction to the younger generation is an important part so that the art remains understood, practised, and has a space amidst the changing times,” he said.
He also reminded the importance of direct understanding of hadrah art so that the younger generation does not only learn about ISHARI hadrah through artificial intelligence.
“We must not let the nation’s future generations only know through AI. They must know more deeply and be aware of the hadrah art that is developing in Pasuruan,” said Shobih.
Efforts to introduce ISHARI to the younger generation are also being encouraged through extracurricular activities in schools. Shobih wants the next generation to directly recognise the history, values, and forms of hadrah art developing in Pasuruan, rather than through technological developments alone.
Directly introducing hadrah art is one of the efforts to maintain the younger generation’s understanding of the traditions developing in Pasuruan Regency. Introduction through school activities or direct involvement in the arts provides a space for the next generation to understand these traditions more closely.