Negotiating Islamic Tradition in Urban Society: The Practice of Wali Songo Pilgrimage among Lower-Middle-Class Muslim Communities in Sukolilo, Indonesia

Abstract

The Wali Songo pilgrimage tradition is an important legacy in the history of Islamic civilization in Indonesia that persists amidst the dynamics of urban society. Previous studies generally examine the Wali Songo pilgrimage from the perspectives of theology, religious tourism, culture, and economic impact, while studies on how lower-middle-class urban Muslims negotiate this tradition in contemporary urban life are relatively limited. This study aims to analyze the forms of negotiation of Islamic tradition through the practice of Wali Songo pilgrimage and reveal its role in building religious identity and social solidarity in the lower-middle-class Muslim community in Sukolilo District, Surabaya. The study uses a qualitative approach with a social history perspective in the study of the History of Islamic Civilization. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation studies, then analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns of continuity and transformation of the pilgrimage tradition in urban life. Preliminary findings indicate that the practice of Wali Songo pilgrimage is not only maintained as a religious ritual but also becomes a space for negotiation between Islamic values, local traditions, and the demands of modern life. This tradition strengthens collective memory, expands social networks, and serves as a source of religious resilience for the community in facing urban socio-economic challenges. These findings confirm that the continuity of the Wali Songo pilgrimage tradition reflects the ability of the Islamic civilization heritage to adapt dynamically in the context of contemporary urban society.