Muslim Conversion Narratives in Digital Media: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Belal Chin’s YouTube Testimony
Keywords:
Digital media, Muslim conversion, religious narrative, van Dijk's concept of CDA
Abstract
This research examines the narrative of Muslim conversion through critical discourse analysis. The objective of this study is to analyze a YouTube video entitled “I don't care if I die! I have to become Muslim!”- British Rapper inspiring convert Story!” by using critical discourse analysis of Teun A. van Dijk’s model. The study focuses on the textual analysis, social cognition, and social context of the video. This research is categorized as descriptive qualitative research. The data of this research are the words and sentences of Ashley Belal Chin. The classified data is then analyzed using Van Dijk's three-dimensional concept. The results of this study indicate that the story in the video has three structural dimensions, namely textual analysis, social cognition, and social context. The results of the text include microstructure that focuses on semantic elements (background, detail, meaning, presupposition, and nominalization), superstructure that is coherent from the beginning to the end of the video because each segment is a procession of converts that are interconnected, and macrostructure, which concludes that the theme of the video is the spirit of becoming a Muslim. Furthermore, social cognition shows the existence of schemes and memories that describe the speaker's background when delivering discourse to the audience. Social context refers to the way discourse evolves within society, considering social structures from the perspectives of power and access. Overall, the study provides insights into how digital media articulates and circulates narratives of Muslim conversion.
References
A’lan Tabaika, M. ., Barizi, A., & Arif, Y. M. (2025). Digital Da’wah and the Reconstruction of Islamic Authority. Al-Balagh: Jurnal Dakwah dan Komunikasi, 10(2), 371–410. https://doi.org/10.22515/albalagh.v10i2.12116
Abdullah, R., Jayos, S., Yahya, F., Bandar, N. F. A., Yusoff, N. F. M., & Ifdil, I. (2022). Adaptation strategies by Muslim Convert: A study on “Saudara Kita” in Sarawak Malaysia. Islamic Guidance and Counseling Journal, 5(2), 185–204. https://doi.org/10.25217/igcj.v5i2.2480
Anam, H. F. & Ghozali, M. (2022). The Concept of Religious Tolerance in Reconstruction and Reinterpretation of Al-Kafirun by Mun'im Sirry (Critical Discourse Analysis of Teun A. Van Dijk). Jurnal Indo-Islamika, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.15408/jii.v12i1.26502
Andriani, I. (2023). Analisis Wacana Kritis Model Foucault dalam Berita “Tangis Goenawan Mohamad dan Ambisi Kekuasaan Jokowi” pada Kompas.com. Sitasi Ilmiah, 2(1), 40-49.
Anjarsari, R., & Adiwijaya, S. N. (2022). Analysis of Teun A. Van Dijk’s discourse model on one online news in portal-Islam. International Proceedings of Nusantara Raya, 1(1), 16-24. https://doi.org/10.24090/nuraicon.v1i1.21
Aprilia & Ferdaus. (2024). Critical Discourse Analysis of Teun A. Van Dijk's model on @gerindra's TikTok Content in Gaining Gen Z Votes for Prabowo Subianto in the 2024 Election. Lontar: Journal of Communication Science, 12(2), 376-387. https://doi.org/10.30656/lontar.v12.i2.9300
Chen, R., Xin, Z., Xiao, Q., Xiao, R., Xiao, J., Zhang, B., Shen, H., & Lu, Z. (2025). The Digital Landscape of God: Narrative, Visuals and Viewer Engagement of Religious Videos on YouTube. ArXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2509.10957
Corral, A., De Coninck, D., Mertens, S., & D’Haenens, L. (2023). Gauging the media discourse and the roots of Islamophobia awareness in Spain. Religions, 14(8), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14081019
Eriyanto. (2001). Analisis Wacana (Pengantar Analisis Teks Media) (IX). PT. LKiS Printing Cemerlang.
Fauzan, U., & Nadia. (2024). A Critical Discourse Analysis of Religious moderation values in the Indonesian EFL Classroom: Teachers’ perspective. International Journal of Religion, 5(1), 557–566. https://doi.org/10.61707/n9jwg685
Ghauri, M. J., et al. (2021). Exploring the discourse of National Islam and Foreign Islam in the Australian press: A critical discourse analysis. Journal of Humanities, Social and Management Sciences (JHSMS), 2(2), 302-317. https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.jhsms/2.2.22
Hasanah, S. U. (2021). Representation of Muslim women in online news: Study of Critical Discourse analysis. NOBEL Journal of Literature and Language Teaching, 12(2), 214–227. https://doi.org/10.15642/nobel.2021.12.2.214-227
Indri, I. (2022). “Gobak Sodor” as A Suggestopedia Technique in Learning English in PAUD Ahmad Dahlan Surakarta. International Journal of English Linguistics, Literature, and Education (IJELLE), 4(2). https://doi.org/10.32585/ijelle.v4i2.2862
Islamiyah, Hanifa Yuti & Hermaliza. (2024). Teun A Van Dijk’s Critical Discourse Analysis on Kompas.com News. Language Literacy: Journal of Linguistics, Literature, and Language Teaching, 8(1), 463-476. https://doi.org/10.30743/ll.v8i1.9280
Listiyani, F., & Suryaningtyas, A. A. (2023). Ferdy Sambo Trial news on TVOne-News’s YouTube account: Critical Discourse Analysis of police image in virtual public conversation. Proceedings University of Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta Undergraduate Conference, 3(1), 71–80. https://doi.org/10.18196/umygrace.v3i1.534
Lumah, D., & Sulistyawati, R. (2022). Critical Discourse Analysis of Teun A.Van Dijk in the Statement of the Minister of Religion on the Regulation of Mosque Loudspeakers. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 8(13), 177-189. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6961613
Midden, E. (2022). Becoming Muslim: Converting old and new practices through ‘turning away.’ European Journal of Women S Studies, 30(3), 318–330. https://doi.org/10.1177/13505068221088165
Mukminin, M. S., & Yafuz, L. (2024). Religious Moderation Representation on Nu Online Instagram Account; Teun A. Van Dijk’s Critical Discourse Analysis. NAHNU: Journal of Nahdlatul Ulama and Contemporary Islamic Studies, 2(2), 301-320. https://doi.org/10.63875/nahnu.v2i2.55
Mustikawati, D. A. (2021). Critical Discourse Analysis of “Answer to Non Muslims Common Questions about Islam” by using Norman Fairclough. Atlantis Press, 581, 1120-126. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.211028.103
Nurliana, I. (2017). A sociolinguistic analysis of code-mixing between English and Indonesian used by the students in bilingual program. [Undegraduate Thesis]. IAIN Surakarta.
Popal, H. (2023). Analysing the rhetoric of Islam needs reforming: Tony Abbott’s political discourse in response to terrorism in Australia. Religions, 14(11), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14111358
Pratama, Y., & Abidin, S. (2020). Analisis Wacana Hidup Mati Listrik Pada Program Talk Show Mata Najwa di Stasiun Tv Trans 7. Scientia Journal: Jurnal Ilmiah Mahasiswa, 2(2).
Rosdiana, R. (2022). Ideologi Pada Novel Ayat-Ayat Cinta: Analisis Wacana Kritis Model Van Dijk. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics Review, 3(2), 67-74.
Safitri, A., Ningsih, S. H., & Surawan, S. (2025). Identity Crisis and Religious Conversion: The Religious Dynamics of Modern Society. Journal of Islamic Education and Ethics, 3(1), 89–101. https://doi.org/10.18196/jiee.v3i1.79
Sariningsih, N & Khozin. (2025). Islamic Religious Education in the Digital Era: A Critical Analysis of Social Media Framing of Millennial Preaching. Urwatul Wutsqo: Jurnal Studi Kependidikan dan Keislaman, 14(3), 1157-1175. https://doi.org/10.54437/juw
Setiawan, T. (2014). Ancangan awal praktik analisis wacana kritis, Diksi, 2(22), 111-120.
Setiyanto, D. A. (2024). Promoting Patriotism and Religious Moderation: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Sanadmedia.Com. Harmoni, 23(1), 53-67. https://doi.org/10.32488/harmoni.v23i1.716
Sobur, A. (2012). Analisis Teks Media. Remaja Rosdakarya.
Sudaryanto. (1993). Metode dan Aneka Teknik Analisis Bahasa. Duta Wacana University Press.
Sufi, M. K., & Yasmin, M. (2022). Racialization of public discourse: portrayal of Islam and Muslims. Heliyon, 8(12), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12211
Sujatmiko, S. (2020). Van Dijk Modelling on Critical Discourse Analysis (A Study on Mata Najwa Program ‘Gara-Gara Tagar’ In Trans 7 In September 5th 2018). Journal of English Language Teaching and English Linguistics, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.31316/eltics.v5i1.533
Suryanatha, I. B., et al. (2023). Millennial Jihad in the Digital Age: Critical Discourse Analysis of Self-Radicalization and Self-Recruitment among the Millenial Generation. Digital Muslim Review, 1(2), 131-141. https://doi.org/10.32678/dmr.vli2.15
Ulfaafifa, Mahliatussikah, H., Ahmed, K. a. M., & Khosihan, A. (2025). Narrative of Hope in “Suara Muhammadiyah, 02/2025 Edition”: A Critical Discourse Analysis using Van Dijk’s approach. Tabasa Jurnal Bahasa Sastra Indonesia Dan Pengajarannya, 6(01), 55–75. https://doi.org/10.22515/tabasa.v6i01.11331
Utami, S. P., & Harianto, Y. A. (2021). Da'wa Critical Discourse Analysis in the Omar and Hana Cartoon Film on Alalala Raju Episode. KOMUNIKA: Jurnal Dakwah dan Komunikasi, 15(1), 55-69. https://doi.org/10.24090.komunika.v15i1.4493
Van Dijk, T. A. (2015). Critical discourse analysis. The handbook of discourse analysis, 466-485.
Van Nieuwkerk, K. (2023). “Islam is my washing line”: Long-Term Religious Trajectories of Dutch Female Converts to Islam. Religion and Gender, 13(2), 186–205. https://doi.org/10.1163/18785417-01302004
Van Oost, P., Leveaux, S., Klein, O., & Yzerbyt, V. (2023). Gender inequality discourse as a tool to express attitudes towards Islam. Journal of Social and Political Psychology, 11(2), 690–707. https://doi.org/10.5964/jspp.9621
Wulandari, P. A., et al. (2023). Critical Discourse Analysis of Theo Van Leeuwen Inclusion Video Podcast on the Gritte Agatha Youtube Channel. International Journal of Education and Teaching Zone, 2(2), 341–348. https://doi.org/10.57092/ijetz.v2i2.130
Yousuf, M., et al. (2024). Proliferation of Islamic Ideology Through Print Media: Critical Discourse Analysis of the Columns of ‘The Nation’ Newspaper. Al Khadim Research Journal of Islamic Culture and Civilization, 5(2), 1-15.
Zins, C. (2007). Conceptual approaches for defining data, information, and knowledge. Journal of the American society for information science and technology, 58(4), 479-493.
Abdullah, R., Jayos, S., Yahya, F., Bandar, N. F. A., Yusoff, N. F. M., & Ifdil, I. (2022). Adaptation strategies by Muslim Convert: A study on “Saudara Kita” in Sarawak Malaysia. Islamic Guidance and Counseling Journal, 5(2), 185–204. https://doi.org/10.25217/igcj.v5i2.2480
Anam, H. F. & Ghozali, M. (2022). The Concept of Religious Tolerance in Reconstruction and Reinterpretation of Al-Kafirun by Mun'im Sirry (Critical Discourse Analysis of Teun A. Van Dijk). Jurnal Indo-Islamika, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.15408/jii.v12i1.26502
Andriani, I. (2023). Analisis Wacana Kritis Model Foucault dalam Berita “Tangis Goenawan Mohamad dan Ambisi Kekuasaan Jokowi” pada Kompas.com. Sitasi Ilmiah, 2(1), 40-49.
Anjarsari, R., & Adiwijaya, S. N. (2022). Analysis of Teun A. Van Dijk’s discourse model on one online news in portal-Islam. International Proceedings of Nusantara Raya, 1(1), 16-24. https://doi.org/10.24090/nuraicon.v1i1.21
Aprilia & Ferdaus. (2024). Critical Discourse Analysis of Teun A. Van Dijk's model on @gerindra's TikTok Content in Gaining Gen Z Votes for Prabowo Subianto in the 2024 Election. Lontar: Journal of Communication Science, 12(2), 376-387. https://doi.org/10.30656/lontar.v12.i2.9300
Chen, R., Xin, Z., Xiao, Q., Xiao, R., Xiao, J., Zhang, B., Shen, H., & Lu, Z. (2025). The Digital Landscape of God: Narrative, Visuals and Viewer Engagement of Religious Videos on YouTube. ArXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2509.10957
Corral, A., De Coninck, D., Mertens, S., & D’Haenens, L. (2023). Gauging the media discourse and the roots of Islamophobia awareness in Spain. Religions, 14(8), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14081019
Eriyanto. (2001). Analisis Wacana (Pengantar Analisis Teks Media) (IX). PT. LKiS Printing Cemerlang.
Fauzan, U., & Nadia. (2024). A Critical Discourse Analysis of Religious moderation values in the Indonesian EFL Classroom: Teachers’ perspective. International Journal of Religion, 5(1), 557–566. https://doi.org/10.61707/n9jwg685
Ghauri, M. J., et al. (2021). Exploring the discourse of National Islam and Foreign Islam in the Australian press: A critical discourse analysis. Journal of Humanities, Social and Management Sciences (JHSMS), 2(2), 302-317. https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.jhsms/2.2.22
Hasanah, S. U. (2021). Representation of Muslim women in online news: Study of Critical Discourse analysis. NOBEL Journal of Literature and Language Teaching, 12(2), 214–227. https://doi.org/10.15642/nobel.2021.12.2.214-227
Indri, I. (2022). “Gobak Sodor” as A Suggestopedia Technique in Learning English in PAUD Ahmad Dahlan Surakarta. International Journal of English Linguistics, Literature, and Education (IJELLE), 4(2). https://doi.org/10.32585/ijelle.v4i2.2862
Islamiyah, Hanifa Yuti & Hermaliza. (2024). Teun A Van Dijk’s Critical Discourse Analysis on Kompas.com News. Language Literacy: Journal of Linguistics, Literature, and Language Teaching, 8(1), 463-476. https://doi.org/10.30743/ll.v8i1.9280
Listiyani, F., & Suryaningtyas, A. A. (2023). Ferdy Sambo Trial news on TVOne-News’s YouTube account: Critical Discourse Analysis of police image in virtual public conversation. Proceedings University of Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta Undergraduate Conference, 3(1), 71–80. https://doi.org/10.18196/umygrace.v3i1.534
Lumah, D., & Sulistyawati, R. (2022). Critical Discourse Analysis of Teun A.Van Dijk in the Statement of the Minister of Religion on the Regulation of Mosque Loudspeakers. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 8(13), 177-189. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6961613
Midden, E. (2022). Becoming Muslim: Converting old and new practices through ‘turning away.’ European Journal of Women S Studies, 30(3), 318–330. https://doi.org/10.1177/13505068221088165
Mukminin, M. S., & Yafuz, L. (2024). Religious Moderation Representation on Nu Online Instagram Account; Teun A. Van Dijk’s Critical Discourse Analysis. NAHNU: Journal of Nahdlatul Ulama and Contemporary Islamic Studies, 2(2), 301-320. https://doi.org/10.63875/nahnu.v2i2.55
Mustikawati, D. A. (2021). Critical Discourse Analysis of “Answer to Non Muslims Common Questions about Islam” by using Norman Fairclough. Atlantis Press, 581, 1120-126. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.211028.103
Nurliana, I. (2017). A sociolinguistic analysis of code-mixing between English and Indonesian used by the students in bilingual program. [Undegraduate Thesis]. IAIN Surakarta.
Popal, H. (2023). Analysing the rhetoric of Islam needs reforming: Tony Abbott’s political discourse in response to terrorism in Australia. Religions, 14(11), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14111358
Pratama, Y., & Abidin, S. (2020). Analisis Wacana Hidup Mati Listrik Pada Program Talk Show Mata Najwa di Stasiun Tv Trans 7. Scientia Journal: Jurnal Ilmiah Mahasiswa, 2(2).
Rosdiana, R. (2022). Ideologi Pada Novel Ayat-Ayat Cinta: Analisis Wacana Kritis Model Van Dijk. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics Review, 3(2), 67-74.
Safitri, A., Ningsih, S. H., & Surawan, S. (2025). Identity Crisis and Religious Conversion: The Religious Dynamics of Modern Society. Journal of Islamic Education and Ethics, 3(1), 89–101. https://doi.org/10.18196/jiee.v3i1.79
Sariningsih, N & Khozin. (2025). Islamic Religious Education in the Digital Era: A Critical Analysis of Social Media Framing of Millennial Preaching. Urwatul Wutsqo: Jurnal Studi Kependidikan dan Keislaman, 14(3), 1157-1175. https://doi.org/10.54437/juw
Setiawan, T. (2014). Ancangan awal praktik analisis wacana kritis, Diksi, 2(22), 111-120.
Setiyanto, D. A. (2024). Promoting Patriotism and Religious Moderation: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Sanadmedia.Com. Harmoni, 23(1), 53-67. https://doi.org/10.32488/harmoni.v23i1.716
Sobur, A. (2012). Analisis Teks Media. Remaja Rosdakarya.
Sudaryanto. (1993). Metode dan Aneka Teknik Analisis Bahasa. Duta Wacana University Press.
Sufi, M. K., & Yasmin, M. (2022). Racialization of public discourse: portrayal of Islam and Muslims. Heliyon, 8(12), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12211
Sujatmiko, S. (2020). Van Dijk Modelling on Critical Discourse Analysis (A Study on Mata Najwa Program ‘Gara-Gara Tagar’ In Trans 7 In September 5th 2018). Journal of English Language Teaching and English Linguistics, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.31316/eltics.v5i1.533
Suryanatha, I. B., et al. (2023). Millennial Jihad in the Digital Age: Critical Discourse Analysis of Self-Radicalization and Self-Recruitment among the Millenial Generation. Digital Muslim Review, 1(2), 131-141. https://doi.org/10.32678/dmr.vli2.15
Ulfaafifa, Mahliatussikah, H., Ahmed, K. a. M., & Khosihan, A. (2025). Narrative of Hope in “Suara Muhammadiyah, 02/2025 Edition”: A Critical Discourse Analysis using Van Dijk’s approach. Tabasa Jurnal Bahasa Sastra Indonesia Dan Pengajarannya, 6(01), 55–75. https://doi.org/10.22515/tabasa.v6i01.11331
Utami, S. P., & Harianto, Y. A. (2021). Da'wa Critical Discourse Analysis in the Omar and Hana Cartoon Film on Alalala Raju Episode. KOMUNIKA: Jurnal Dakwah dan Komunikasi, 15(1), 55-69. https://doi.org/10.24090.komunika.v15i1.4493
Van Dijk, T. A. (2015). Critical discourse analysis. The handbook of discourse analysis, 466-485.
Van Nieuwkerk, K. (2023). “Islam is my washing line”: Long-Term Religious Trajectories of Dutch Female Converts to Islam. Religion and Gender, 13(2), 186–205. https://doi.org/10.1163/18785417-01302004
Van Oost, P., Leveaux, S., Klein, O., & Yzerbyt, V. (2023). Gender inequality discourse as a tool to express attitudes towards Islam. Journal of Social and Political Psychology, 11(2), 690–707. https://doi.org/10.5964/jspp.9621
Wulandari, P. A., et al. (2023). Critical Discourse Analysis of Theo Van Leeuwen Inclusion Video Podcast on the Gritte Agatha Youtube Channel. International Journal of Education and Teaching Zone, 2(2), 341–348. https://doi.org/10.57092/ijetz.v2i2.130
Yousuf, M., et al. (2024). Proliferation of Islamic Ideology Through Print Media: Critical Discourse Analysis of the Columns of ‘The Nation’ Newspaper. Al Khadim Research Journal of Islamic Culture and Civilization, 5(2), 1-15.
Zins, C. (2007). Conceptual approaches for defining data, information, and knowledge. Journal of the American society for information science and technology, 58(4), 479-493.
Published
2026-05-15
How to Cite
Budiwati, T., Husna, M., & Afifah, W. (2026). Muslim Conversion Narratives in Digital Media: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Belal Chin’s YouTube Testimony. Indonesian Journal of EFL and Linguistics, 11(1), 99-119. https://doi.org/10.21462/ijefl.v11i1.1025
Section
Articles
Copyright (c) 2026 Indonesian Journal of EFL and Linguistics
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
