Cheng Ho Mosque of Palembang As A Symbol Of Cultural Acculturation

Abstract

This research examines the Al-Islam Muhammad Cheng Ho Mosque in Palembang as a symbol of cultural acculturation and a space for tolerance within a multicultural society. The mosque possesses unique architectural features that blend Islamic, Chinese, and local Palembang elements, serving as a medium for non-verbal visual communication. The study aims to analyze the semiotic meanings of the mosque's ornaments, explain the community's decoding process of these symbols in forming a "Third Space," and identify the effectiveness of social interaction within this space in reducing stigma toward the Chinese ethnic group. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method using Roland Barthes' semiotic analysis (denotation, connotation, and myth) and the Miles and Huberman data analysis model. Data collection techniques include non-participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The findings are expected to reveal how the symbolic integration in the mosque's architecture can dissolve ethnic identity boundaries and strengthen social harmony in Palembang.