ARTICLES

Indonesian Islam beyond Habib Rizieq Shihab: Deconstructing Islamism and Populism

A'an Suryana|Nur Syafiqah Mohd Taufek

The radical Salafi ideology of Muhammad Rizieq Shihab and the Islamic Defender’s Front (FPI) have been at the centre of attention and study for quite a while. Islam in Indonesia, however, is not monolithic – there are some strands which are moderate. The recent retreat of radical and conservative Muslims following pressure from the Joko Widodo government provides a timely opportunity for proponents of moderate Islam to boost their presence on social media – a crucial battleground in the war of religious ideas.