Ceramah

Ceramah is a speech or sermon used to instruct, admonish, or inspire an audience. In Indonesian and Malay usage, the term refers to a formal or informal talk that conveys religious, moral, or civic guidance, often drawing on religious texts and traditions. The term originates in Malay-language usage and is widely used in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Ceramah is commonly delivered in mosques or at religious gatherings, but it also appears at community events, schools, and in media such as radio or television programs. It may address everyday ethics, spiritual practice, or social issues from a religious perspective.

A typical ceramah is delivered by a religious leader, such as an imam, ustadz or ustadzah, or by a scholar or educator. The delivery emphasizes storytelling, practical examples, and quotes from sacred sources, along with exhortations and advice aimed at personal or collective improvement.

Related concepts include khutbah, the Friday sermon in Islam, and tausiyah, a shorter admonition or teaching. Ceramah may be religious in focus, but it can also cover cultural, historical, or civic topics framed within a moral or spiritual context.

The form is popular for public outreach and education, but like other persuasive talks, it benefits from accuracy, respectful tone, and clear sourcing to maintain credibility and avoid incitement or misinterpretation.