Journal of Indonesian Islam
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ISLAMISM IN MADURA: From Religious Symbolism to Authoritarianism
Get PDFThe article scrutinizes the role and action of a number of Muslim organizations established by some prominent kiais in Pamekasan Madura, namely Badan Silaturrahmi Ulama Pesantren Madura (BASSRA/The Board of Madurese Pesantren Ulama), Aliansi Ulama Madura (AUMA/The Alliance of Madurese Ulama), and Forum Kiai Muda (FKM/The Forum of Young Kiais). These organizations, on the basis of their religious thoughts and movements, have been able to massively mobilize and organize their followers while at the same time create a multi-layered sectarianism. The sectarianism promulgated by these organizations seems to disrespectfully neglect interreligious and interethnic relations which rest within heterogeneous reality of the Madurese society. Consequently, the domination of the religious elites seems to “lock” the freedom of thought in religion. This article argues that Islamism in Pamekasan—as a variant of Islam in response to the global phenomena on religious fundamentalism—has uniquely focused on what so-called “nationalization of Islam”. It implies that the Islamist groups in Pamekasan attempt to mobilize their followers, on behalf of Islam, in order to not only establish an Islamic state but also to renovate Indonesia
SALUTING THE PROPHET: Cultural and Artistic Expression in Javanese Society
No full textPuji-pujian (lit. praise poetry) has become a tradition for Muslims since the phase of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him until our modern phase. The contradiction between accepting and rejecting has also occurred since the apostle is still alive today. In Indonesia Puji-pujian became one of the tools to spread Islam and moral values. So these Puji-pujian became a tradition as religious song and literary art among Javanese Muslims. Uniquely, the form of Javanese literature is still tied to Arabic literature, such as Burdah, Diba’ and Barzanji. That’s why, Javanese poetry or prose of Puji-pujian are much influenced by Arabic literature and even abandon the rules of Javanese literature. And Puji-pujian also became the feature of Javanese Muslim culture since long ago. This research will reveal the culture and history of the formation of Puji-pujian, why it was integrated with Arabic literature, and to find the unique of both of Puji-pujian and Arabic literature in structure and rhyme, why it has the same formation
TOWARDS A RELIGIOUSLY HYBRID IDENTITY? The Changing Face of Javanese Islam
Get PDFThis article seeks to revisit the discussion of Javanese Islam from an alternative point of view. It argues that the presentation of Javanese Islam in the previous studies is no longer adequate to accommodate the most current transformation of Javanese Islam. The identity of Javanese Islam can neither be seen from syncretic point of view nor normative perspective per se, since the identity of Javanese Islam has transformed itself into something different from the past. Becoming an abangan or santri in the post-Geertz era, represents the making of a religiously hybrid identity. In the context of Geertz, to become an abangan means he/she cannot become a santri at once. At that time, a pure and puritan abangan, was hardly a practicing Muslim, but nominal Muslim. Becoming a santri, on the other hand, had to be done by disentangling any type of identity in kejawen sense. Javanese Islam has to do with whatever-you-like mentality that forms a hybrid identity among the Javanese Muslims
THE 2017 KUPI CONGRESS AND INDONESIAN FEMALE ‘ULAMA’
Get PDFThis article aims at revealing the role and struggle of Indonesian Female ‘Ulama’ after KUPI (Kongres Ulama Perempuan Indonesia, Indonesian Female ‘Ulama’ Congress) on April 25-27, 2017 in promoting the social transformation movement. The role of female ‘ulama’ has been marginalized and forgotten. Although women and gender studies continue to find their momentum, attention has hardly been given to women's religious figures. The paper tries to show the existence and role of female ‘ulama’ in Indonesia after the KUPI as such. These female ‘ulama’ have been actively struggling to fight against injustice against women. In addition, they also have become pioneers in promoting the social transformation in Indonesia by responding to issues on humanity and nationality as well as developing the moderate understanding of Islam and building mutuality in male and female relations
THE ACTIVISM AND SURVIVAL OF THE RIAU-LINGGA ‘ULAMA’ IN THE DUTCH EAST INDIES COLONIAL ERA (1900-1913)
Get PDFThe Riau-Lingga Sultanate, previously known as the Sultanate of Johore, covered a large region which included the Riau-Lingga islands, Singapore, some parts of Malaya and some parts of the Sumatera eastern coasts. It was considered a powerful Malay kingdom in the region. However, after the defeat of the Yang Dipertuan Muda Riau Raja Haji in 1784, which was followed by the one-sided Anglo-Dutch Treaty in 1824, the sultanate became divided, with only a small part of the region remaining under its rule. This paper attempts to explore the role of ‘ulama’ in Riau Lingga during the Dutch colonial politics in the region, especially in relation to the discussion of the development of Islam in the early twentieth century Indonesia. It discusses the role and contribution some of the most influential scholars and ‘Ulama’ in the sultanate included Raja Ali Tengku Kelana also known as Raja Ali Kelana, Raja Hitam or Raja Khalid Hitam, Raja Abdul Rahman Kecik, Raja Muhammad and the candidate for the Riau-Lingga sultan, Tengku Besar
REINTERPRETATION OF WOMEN’S DOMESTIC ROLES: Saleh Darat’s Thought on Strengthening Women’s Roles in Indonesia
Get PDFRoles of women in relation to domestic and public life are one of gender issues in many societies including Javanese people. Nevertheless, there are indeed figures who fought for improving women status are from java among them are Kartini and her teacher, a male ‘Ulama’ named Saleh Darat. Saleh Darat offered a new perspective regarding women’s roles in his book, Majmu‘at. He, in contrast to common views, granted domestic works high value and signified them with spiritual meaning so that women can also be elevated in status. In addition, he also promoted the right of women for education as well as the importance of women taking part in economic activities. Furthermore, he tried to integrate Javanese culture and the condition at the time, Dutch colonialism and its impact, in to his prescription. Therefore, some of his views might sound quite conservative in today’s context but actually very progressive given the time and condition at the era of his lif
THE DYNAMIC OF MALAY ISLAMIC LAW: The Rise and Practices of Adat Bersendi Syarak, Syarak Bersendi Kitabullah in Jambi
Get PDFThis study aims at determining the position of Islamic law in the culture of Malay society in Jambi, Sumatera. The obvious facts in the previous studies about Islamic law and culture in Malay Sumatera is heavy emphasis on Minangkabau of West Sumatera with its matrilineal culture and traditionalist-modernist tension. In contrast, Jambi, which is adjacent to Minangkabau region, is starkly different. Jambi culture does not recognize matrilineal culture, except for Minangkabau people migrating to Jambi, nor experience such a tension. This is evidenced from interviews and library sources alike. Interviews were undertaken from several members of traditional leaders including some of the decendents of Jambi Malay Kingdom. As the result, even though there was a was among devotees of each of the laws, Islamic law (Syarak) and customary law in greater Malay Sumatera, the aphorism “Customary laws are based on religious laws; religious laws are based on the Holy Book” unites them, and becomes the living law that rules Muslim society in Jambi from the past until present day
SASAK MUSLIMS AND INTERRELIGIOUS HARMONY: Ethnographic Study of the Perang Topat Festival in Lombok - Indonesia
Get PDFAmple local traditions serve as the catalysts that help build social integration within multicultural society. The social inclusion is developed when people from diverse ethnic and religious groups are deliberate to engage. The perang topat festival is a local tradition in Lombok, Indonesia, which includes two communities from different ethnicities and religions: Balinese-Hindus and Sasak-Muslims. The festival has been celebrated for years and has contributed significantly to maintaining harmony between various ethno-religious groups. This article is an ethnographic research report of the perang topat festival. The tradition has existed as a symbol of civic engagement between Muslims and Hindus. Nevertheless, Muslim puritans have recently criticized and banned Muslims’ participation in the perang topat festival. The Muslim puritans believe that integrating religious rituals with traditions is a bid’ah (heresy). On the other hand, Muslim proponents of perang topat justify it through the construction of symbolic meanings of the festival site, utensils, and rituals in accordance with Islamic concepts
THE POLITICS OF MATARAM KINGDOM DURING THE REIGN OF SULTAN AGUNG
Get PDFThe period of Sultan Agung (1613-1645) is seen as the golden era of Mataram-Islam thanks to its various achievements in military, political, socio-cultural, and religious aspects while, in fact, the Kingdom was facing grave challenges both internally and externally including the fragmentation of Java into many conflicting small kingdoms, the dominance of VOC in Batavia, the threat of social fragmentation due to the divided stances between those keeping a Hindu culture and those adopting an Islamic worldview, as well as the penchant for rebellion among the noblemen in the conquered areas. This article asks the question of what kinds of politics and praxis the Kingdom of Mataram-Islam carried out in the midst of such grave challenges that it achieved a golden age. The result shows that the Kingdom founded its political vision of the unification of Java by strengthening the Javanese-Islamic identity in the midst of the Javanese Muslims who were clinging to the Javanese-Hindu tradition. The praxis it carried out included waging wars against the neighboring powers, sending two major expeditions against the VOC in Batavia, marrying the royal family members off to the rulers of the conquered regions, and synthesizing Islamic worldview and Javanese culture
INDONESIAN SUFI IN MALAY WORLD: A Preliminary Exploration with Reference to Tariqa Naqshbandiyya-Khalidiyya Babussalam (TNKB)
Get PDFThis article is an initial exploration of Indonesian Sufi, developed in the Malay world of Indonesia and Malaysia. The spread of this particular tariqa (sufi’s order) relates specifically to the mandate received by Tuan Guru of TNKB, as its certified Shaykh, who then actively involved in the network acitivity by visiting the Malay Sultanate areas scattered in the Malay Peninsula. This research reveals the incorporation of some elements of different tariqas in the “form” of TNKB, such as Tariqa Shazaliyya and Tariqa Sammaniyya, as well as adaptation of local culture of Malays ethnic which become part of its unique ritual. Supported by the Sultan, TNKB has become the “official order” of Malay Sultanate, which covers area of Riau, Sumatera Utara (North Sumatera) in Indonesia as well as Johor in Malaysia—with caliph as its “agent”