Islamisation, the Law and Governance in Indonesia’s Public Sphere: Muslim Religi ous Orientations and Support for Democracy

http://www.law.unimelb.edu.au/index.cfm?objectid=DCA83080-2698-11E1-B6610050568D0140&diaryid=5563 

Center for Islamic Law and Society Seminar, presented by Dr. Amelia Fauzia (Visiting Fellow) School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of New South Wales
 
Abstract: 
The Indonesian public sphere has undergone Islamisation, particularly since the end of Soeharto’s New Order. This can be seen in a wide variety of areas such as the flourishing of sharia-influenced provincial regulations, the increase of Islamic political parties, the appearance of new Islamist organisations, the growth of Islamic schools, the increasingly widespread use of jilbab and the production of Islam-inspired films. In this presentation, Amelia will argue that this Islamisation does not affect the majority support for democracy, which includes Muslims with an Islamist orientation, even though Islamisation has influenced their knowledge, opinions, ritual practices and despite their use of Islamic symbols in public. This argument is based on the findings of a public survey held in 2010, which involved 1500 Muslim respondents in 10 provinces of Indonesia. Social, political and economic issues were not central to their religious beliefs, making the effect of Islamisation insignificant in these fields. The main issues concerning Islamisation in the public sphere are faith, worship, morals and family law, where Islamist campaigns received public support. Islamist Muslims are now estimated at 20 per cent of the Indonesian population – a figure which should not be ignored.


Presenter:
Dr. Amelia Fauzia is visiting fellow at the school of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of New South Wales@ADFA in Canberra and lecturer at the State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. She graduated from the Asia Institute, the University of Melbourne, in 2008. Her PhD, Faith and the State: A History of Islamic Philanthropy in Indonesia, is currently being prepared for publication. Amelia is coordinator and editor for a book project, Social Justice Philanthropy in Muslim Societies. She also serves as a council member of AMAN, Asian Muslim Action Network, a progressive Muslim network, based in Bangkok. 

Date: Wed 05/10/2011
Place: Melbourne Law School, 185 Pelham Street Carlton
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM