From Colonial Space to Collective Memory: The Muslim Community’s Struggle in the Five-Day Battle of Semarang
Keywords:
Lawang Sewu, Semarang Muslim Struggle, Five-Day Battle, History from Below, Collective MemoryAbstract
This study aims to reconstruct the historical role of the Muslim community of Semarang in the Five-Day Battle of 1945 and to examine the transformation of Lawang Sewu from a colonial building into a site of collective memory. This study employs a qualitative historical approach based on library research by analyzing secondary sources, including scholarly articles, historical books, and newspaper publications related to Lawang Sewu, the Five-Day Battle of Semarang, and Muslim participation in the Indonesian independence movement. The findings indicate that Lawang Sewu represents not only a symbol of Dutch colonial power but also a historical space that reflects the struggle of Muslim communities, including ulama, santri, Islamic organizations, Muslim women, and local residents. Through the perspectives of history from below and collective memory, this study reveals that their contributions have been underrepresented in dominant historiography, while the values of solidarity, nationalism, and social responsibility continue to remain relevant for contemporary Muslim generations.
Abstrak
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk merekonstruksi peran historis komunitas Muslim Semarang dalam Pertempuran Lima Hari tahun 1945 serta mengkaji transformasi Lawang Sewu dari bangunan kolonial menjadi ruang memori kolektif. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode sejarah dengan pendekatan kualitatif berbasis studi kepustakaan melalui analisis sumber sekunder berupa artikel ilmiah, buku sejarah, dan publikasi surat kabar yang berkaitan dengan Lawang Sewu, Pertempuran Lima Hari Semarang, serta keterlibatan komunitas Muslim dalam perjuangan kemerdekaan Indonesia. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Lawang Sewu tidak hanya menjadi simbol kekuasaan kolonial Belanda, tetapi juga ruang historis yang merekam perjuangan komunitas Muslim, termasuk ulama, santri, organisasi Islam, perempuan Muslim, dan masyarakat lokal. Melalui perspektif history from below dan memori kolektif, penelitian ini mengungkap bahwa kontribusi mereka masih kurang mendapat perhatian dalam historiografi dominan, sementara nilai solidaritas, nasionalisme, dan tanggung jawab sosial tetap relevan bagi generasi Muslim masa kini.
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