Peningkatan Kemampuan Membaca Dan Memahami Syair Khabar Kiamat Karya Syekh Abdurraman Shiddiq

Increasing the ability to read and understand the poetry of Khabar Doomsday by Sheikh Abdurraman Shiddiq

Abstract

One of the forms of Malay oral literature that continues to live and be transmitted across generations is syair. As a classical poetic form consisting of four lines in each stanza with an a-a-a-a rhyme scheme, syair functions not only as entertainment but also as a medium for education, religious propagation (da‘wah), and the transmission of socio-religious values. Historically, syair developed alongside the Islamization process in the Malay-Indonesian archipelago through the Malay language. Although it initially referred to Arabic literary traditions, it eventually formed a distinctive identity within the corpus of Malay literature. Its content generally includes moral advice, religious teachings, historical narratives, and love stories, presented in a narrative style with refined and symbolic language, often requiring interpretative understanding. This community service activity was conducted at SMA YLPI, Bukit Raya District, Pekanbaru City, in response to the Riau Provincial Government’s initiative during the Reformasi era to foster and develop Malay Culture, particularly Budaya Melayu Riau (BMR). The program aimed to enhance students’ literacy skills in reading, understanding, and interpreting Syair Khabar Kiamat by Syekh Abdurrahman Shiddiq. The community engagement carried out by the team from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Lancang Kuning, is expected to strengthen students’ appreciation of Malay literary heritage while improving their competence in comprehending the moral and religious values embedded within the text.