HUMAN VALUES IN MAHER ZAIN’S ONE BIG FAMILY

Abstract

Human values are important to build a peaceful world. People around the world are calling for upholding human values in varieties of way. This study discusses how Maher Zain’s conveyed human values in his song One Big Family (2013) by using author-oriented approach (Klarer, 2013). Types of human value in this study are distinguished by their motivational goals as proposed by Schwartz (1994). The method used is a qualitative study by examining the lyrics of the song and relate them to the songwriter’s background. The results showed that One Big Family contains the value of Security, Universalism, and Benevolence. The value of Security is motivated by the importance of having safety, harmony, and stability of society, of relationships, and of self. The value of Universalism is motivated by the importance of having understanding, appreciation, tolerance, and protection for the welfare of all people and for nature. The last value found in this study is Benevolence in which the motives are preserving and enhancing the welfare of those with whom one is in frequent personal contact. These values are in line with the songwriter’s motivation in writing his songs, that is, to spread the peaceful messages of Islam. Clearly that the writer wants to inspire his listeners to spread love and peace toward humanity and that we need to care for one another in this world as a big family.