Acceptance of Indigenous Community Mobilizers Towards the Competence Constructs of Indigenous Preachers in Malaysia

Abstract

The implementation of Islamic preaching to the Orang Asli community needs a specific method and content to suit with their different lifestyles, customs, beliefs, traditions, and taboos. Preachers need to possess certain competencies in propagating Islamic teachings to the Orang Asli community effectively. This study aims to identify the content and analyse the acceptance of the Orang Asli Community Mobilizer (OACM), Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) towards the competency construct of Orang Asli preachers. The data of this study was obtained by using quantitative methods through survey research by distributing questionnaires to 30 PMOA or OACM people who have served for 5 years or more. Samples taken from two states in Malaysia, namely OACM from Negeri Sembilan and Selangor. The construct is designed based on a preliminary survey, particularly literature review that has compatibility with the needs of the Orang Asli movement in delivering da'wah. There five constructs suggested based on the existing literature namely self-preparation, mastery of knowledge, appropriate approach, skills, and proper attitude. The results of the study found that all constructs show high min score between 0.92 to 0.97. The overall score for the acceptance of OACM on the construct of competency is 0.98. The implication of the study reveals that all five constructs are vital in preaching Islamic teachings towards the Orang Asli Community in Malaysia.