Muslim mothers make music - 17th February 2023

This woman music group - Nasida Ria - is from Indonesia. Young Indonesian people love them.

Nasida Ria started 47 years ago. They read the Qur'an. Now the band mixes Indonesian 'dangdut' music and Arabic music.

Now, dangdut's very popular. Nasida Ria sing special songs. For example, they talk about what's right and wrong. Sometimes the songs are funny. Young people like this.

Shindu Alpito: "Talking about Islamic songs, Nasida Ria might be the only one that dares to use such witty lyrics. Islamic songs are usually serious with lyrics carefully quoting Islamic teachings. However, Nasida Ria can immerse into a broader society through a language style that is easy to understand and tickling."

Young people are interested in their music. They enjoy the songs' words too. They call Nasida Ria the 'Indie Mothers'.

Fathul Amin: "I think Nasida Ria is more than just cool. Why? Because all of the members are women who can play more than three musical instruments. And, now they have become mothers, they still consistently play music. Nothing has changed them. That's why I see them as super cool."

The group understands young people. One band member is Nazla Zain. She's only 27. She says they use YouTube and other apps.

Nazla Zain: "Nasida Ria is keeping up with the trend by using Youtube and other music applications. We uploaded Nasida Ria's songs from all albums there. So, now youths with gadgets can listen to our songs. That might be a reason why the youths like Nasida Ria."

The group now has around half a million followers on YouTube. Every month, 38,000 people listen on Spotify.

Singer Rien Djamain is over 60. She wants the band's music to help their fans.