With the growing popularity of Islamic clothing in Indonesia in recent decades, Muslim fashion has become an increasingly hot topic among wearers of Islamic clothing. Indonesian Muslim fashion... Show moreWith the growing popularity of Islamic clothing in Indonesia in recent decades, Muslim fashion has become an increasingly hot topic among wearers of Islamic clothing. Indonesian Muslim fashion consists of various styles and trends, influenced by transnational factors yet maintaining a local flavour. This article traces the development of Muslim fashion in Indonesia and explores how Indonesian designers are involved in the production of sophisticated Islamic clothing designs. Show less
Islamic novels, films, and songs are becoming increasingly popular in Indonesia. One exceptionally well-liked film is the love story Ayat Ayat Cinta released in 2008. Even though to some the film... Show moreIslamic novels, films, and songs are becoming increasingly popular in Indonesia. One exceptionally well-liked film is the love story Ayat Ayat Cinta released in 2008. Even though to some the film is as trivializing religions as The Da Vinci Code, Ayat Ayat Cinta puts forward a representation of Islam which is different from both western stereotypes and prevalent representations of Islam in popular Indonesian film and television productions. Show less
The recent controversy over the Ahmadiyya movement in Indonesia pitted supporters and critics of the movement against each other. This article shows how both sides present their own definition of... Show moreThe recent controversy over the Ahmadiyya movement in Indonesia pitted supporters and critics of the movement against each other. This article shows how both sides present their own definition of religious freedom and how they push forcefully their views on the Indonesian government. The author argues that what is at stake is not only the destiny of a religious orientation, but also thexstate’s power in religious matters. Show less
Contrary to the common view that Sufism is somehow incompatible with “the modern,” emerging new forms of Sufism signify the creative adaptation of Islam to the religious sensibilities and social... Show moreContrary to the common view that Sufism is somehow incompatible with “the modern,” emerging new forms of Sufism signify the creative adaptation of Islam to the religious sensibilities and social demands of modern life. This article focuses on the Padepokan Thaha, a thriving Islamic studies centre in Indonesia, whose integration of esoteric spiritual knowledge with modern-style education suits the modern sensibilities of affluent and educated Muslim cosmopolitans in Indonesia. Show less
Nurcholish Madjid, Indonesia’s best known Muslim intellectual, died in August last year after a prolonged and painful illness. At the time of his death, the country appeared to be drifting away... Show moreNurcholish Madjid, Indonesia’s best known Muslim intellectual, died in August last year after a prolonged and painful illness. At the time of his death, the country appeared to be drifting away into increasing religious intolerance: physical attacks by radical Muslims on makeshift churches and assaults on the main centre of the Ahmaddiyah movement, death threats against liberal Muslim thinkers, fatwas of Indonesia’s Ulama Council, once a paragon of moderation, against “liberal Islam,” secularism and religious pluralism. The days in which Nurcholish’ voice of moderation and inter-religious understanding was almost hegemonic, at least in the media, are rapidly fading away, and memories of Nurcholish resonate with nostalgia for times of greater harmony. Show less
Recently there has been a great deal of talk on the need to accommodate, modify, and pacify the radical elements of Muslim communities. Yet it is not well understood how a process of accommodation... Show moreRecently there has been a great deal of talk on the need to accommodate, modify, and pacify the radical elements of Muslim communities. Yet it is not well understood how a process of accommodation should be carried out, or by whom? Student groups, who have long been on the vanguard of social and political change in Indonesia, can serve as a living example of democratic accommodation. Show less
