Islam and Liberalism: An Indonesian Case Kuala Lumpur, 11 September 2006 Luthfi Assyaukanie, PhD Fre

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Islam and LiberalismAn Indonesian
CaseKuala Lumpur, 11 September
2006Luthfi Assyaukanie, PhDFreedom
Institute, Jakarta
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Islamic Liberalism

• Islamic Liberalism is the latest expression of
  a reform movement whose origins can be traced
  back to the early 19th century.
• Scholars use different terms to refer the same
  phenomenon of Islamic reformism
• Modern Islam Pluralist Islam
  Progressive Islam
• Cultural Islam Liberal Islam
• Religious reform movement started in the Middle
  East (Turkey and Egypt) with the nahdah and
  tajdid movement. Led by such figures as Rifaa
  al-Tahtawi and Abd al-Rahman al-Kawakibi.
• The main question that bothered Muslims was why
  do Muslims lag behind while the other progress?

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What is Liberal Islam?

• Liberal Islam is an intellectual movement that
  promotes a reformulation of traditional Islamic
  doctrines so that they could be compatible with
  the spirit of the modern age.
• It discusses contemporary issues such as
• Secularization Political basis of state
• Religious Pluralism
• Freedom of expression
• Gender equality
• The idea of progress democracy, civil liberty,
  human rights, etc.

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Indonesian Context I

• Religious reform movement has begun since the
  early 20th century, in Minangkabau, West Sumatra.
• Kaum Muda (Young Group) was the first exponents
  of Islamic liberalism in Indonesia.
• They generally attempted to reconcile the
  traditonal Islamic values with modernity.
• They articulated their Islamic reform agenda
  through education.

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Indonesian Context II

• The contemporary expression of Islamic liberalism
  in Indonesia started since the 1970s, led by such
  figures as Nurcholish Madjid and Abdurrahman
  Wahid (former President).
• Nurcholish Madjid Secularization. There should
  be a separation between political and religious
  domains.
• Abdurrahman Wahid Indigenization of Islam.
  Islamic expressions should not contradict the
  local values.

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Current Trends

• In the post-Soeharto era, liberal Muslims usually
  referred to young Muslim activists affiliated to
  Islamic NGOs, such as
• Association of Pesantren and Society Development
  (Perhimpunan Pengembangan Pesantren dan
  Masyarakat, P3M), Jakarta.
• The Liberal Islam Network (Jaringan Islam
  Liberal, JIL), Jakarta.
• Institute of Islam and Social Studies (Lembaga
  Kajian Islam dan Sosial, LKiS), Yogyakarta.
• Institute of Religion and Democracy Studies
  (Lembaga Studi Agama dan Demokrasi, LSAD),
  Surabaya.
• Institute of Islamic and Social Studies (Lembaga
  Kajian Keislaman dan Kemasyarakatan, LK3),
  Banjarmasin.

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Articulations

• Discussion groups in pesantrens and campuses.
• Publishing houses Islamic books with liberal
  tone.
• Media syndicates Using national media such as
  Kompas, Media Indonesia, and Jawa Pos.
• Radio talk-shows. Presenting selected figures of
  Muslims and non-Muslims.
• Website and Milis. www.islamlib.com

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Challanges

• There are two challenges of Islamic liberalism
• The Radicals Islam Defenders Front (Front
  Pembela Islam, FPI), Indonesian Mujahidin
  Council, MMI), and Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI).
• The Conservatives Indonesian Ulama Council
  (Majelis Ulama Indonesia, MUI), elements in
  Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
• Both the Radicals and the Conservatives share the
  view of the implementation of shariah in the
  country.

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• Thank You