ARTICLES

15 Jun 2022

Khilafatul Muslimin: Not a Serious Threat to Indonesia Yet

A'an Suryana

Khilafatul Muslimin, an Islamist organisation in Indonesia, has tried but failed to influence public opinion. But the government should keep it on a tight leash.

13 Jun 2022

Thai Monks who Drink and Their Lay Supporters

Thomas Borchert

Recent media reporting about a Thai monk caught drunk and indecently exposed follows a long line of attention-grabbing headlines about monastic misbehaviour. Even so, Thai attitudes about such rule-breaking are more nuanced than these reports would suggest.

Religion Thailand

20 May 2022

Abdul Somad Denied Entry into Singapore: Islamophobic? Far from It

Norshahril Saat

Indonesia religious teacher Abdul Somad was denied entry to Singapore. His followers have decried Islamophobia as being behind the decision. This cannot be farther from the truth.

Islam Religion Religious Intolerance Singapore

4 May 2022

The New FPI: Don’t Buy the Same Horse Twice

Ahalla Tsauro|Firmanda Taufiq

The neo-FPI, the latest reincarnation of the Islamic Defenders Front, has sought to make a clean break from its controversial predecessor. Indonesians should take it with a dollop of salt.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Political Islam Religion Religious Intolerance

25 Apr 2022

Nahdlatul Ulama’s Traditionalist Campaign Shaping Mainstream Indonesian Islamic Discourse

Wasisto Raharjo Jati

Since 2014, it has appeared as though the traditionalists in Nahdlatul Ulama have won the upper hand in influencing the Islamic discourse in Indonesia, having pushed back against hardline and conservative elements. However, the conservatives remain a critical opposition, and sharp ideological differences will keep tensions simmering.

Indonesia Islam Progressive Islam Religion

21 Apr 2022

Moon Versus Maths: The Ramadhan Debate and Future of Indonesia’s Pluralism

A'an Suryana|Norshahril Saat

This year’s Ramadhan saw less bickering among Indonesian Muslims about the appropriate start date for the blessed month. The ‘agree to disagree’ approach should be employed in other facets of the country’s socio-religious life.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Religion Religious Dialogue Religious Intolerance

18 Apr 2022

An Unexpected Stillness in the Heart of Wartime Myanmar

Mary Callahan

The monks in Pakokku, a major centre of Buddhist learning and training, have not reprised the role played by their predecessors in the historic Saffron Revolution in 2007. Several factors can explain this, the foremost of which revolves around the clergy’s conception of order and hierarchy.

Armed Conflict Myanmar Myanmar Military Myanmar Politics Religion

18 Apr 2022

Silencing the Din in Indonesian Cities

Rusli Cahyadi|Ahmad Najib Burhani

For the longest time, Indonesians endured a sonic pandemonium in their cities. It is about time that some regulation is effected to lower levels of noise.

Indonesia Infrastructure Religion

23 Mar 2022

Nahdlatul Ulama ‘Going Global’: Charity Should Begin at Home

Syafiq Hasyim|Norshahril Saat

The newly-elected chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama has a grand vision about humanitarian Islam. In practice, however, the policy is found wanting when it comes to attending to the needs of the NU rank and file.

Indonesia Islam Progressive Islam Religion

17 Jan 2022

The New Nahdlatul Ulama (NU): ‘Islamic Party No; Islamic Politicians Yes?’

Norshahril Saat|Syafiq Hasyim

Newly elected NU Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf campaigned on a platform to depoliticise NU in the run-up to the next elections. But NU's new leadership line-up suggests otherwise.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Political Islam Progressive Islam Religion