Deciphering the Motivations behind Indonesia’s “Conservative Turn”

Deciphering the Motivations behind Indonesia’s “Conservative Turn” by Chris Chaplin

This article shows through the examination of the Majelis Intelektual dan Ulama Muda Indonesia (Council for Young and Intellectual Ulama of Indonesia, MIUMI) that the success of Middle Eastern Islamic doctrines has less to do with undermining an “Indonesian” Islam, than adapting their basic tenets to the democratic environment and building bridges to established Indonesian religious institutions. Accordingly, “Indonesian” and “Middle Eastern” Islam are distinctions that are more malleable than they may first appear.

- From the Middle East Asia Project (MAP) series on “Indonesia and the Middle East: Exploring Connections” -