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Civil Islam: Muslims and Democratization in Indonesia
Civil Islam tells the story of Islam and democratization in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation. Challenging stereotypes of Islam as antagonistic to democracy, this study of courage and reformation in the face of state terror suggests possibilities for democracy in the Muslim world and beyond.
Democratic in the early 1950s and with rich precedents for tolerance and civility, Indonesia succumbed to violence. In 1965, Muslim parties were drawn into the slaughter of half a million communists. In the aftermath of this bloodshed, a New Order regime came to power, suppressing democratic forces and instituting dictatorial controls that held for decades. Yet from this maelstrom of violence, repressed by the state and denounced by conservative Muslims, an Islamic democracy movement emerged, strengthened, and played a central role in the 1998 overthrow of the Soeharto regime. In 1999, Muslim leader Abdurrahman Wahid was elected President of a reformist, civilian government.
In explaining how this achievement was possible, Robert Hefner emphasizes the importance of civil institutions and public civility, but argues that neither democracy nor civil society is possible without a civilized state. Against portrayals of Islam as inherently antipluralist and undemocratic, he shows that Indonesia's Islamic reform movement repudiated the goal of an Islamic state, mobilized religiously ecumenical support, promoted women's rights, and championed democratic ideals. This broadly interdisciplinary and timely work heightens our awareness of democracy's necessary pluralism, and places Indonesia at the center of our efforts to understand what makes democracy work.
Democratic in the early 1950s and with rich precedents for tolerance and civility, Indonesia succumbed to violence. In 1965, Muslim parties were drawn into the slaughter of half a million communists. In the aftermath of this bloodshed, a New Order regime came to power, suppressing democratic forces and instituting dictatorial controls that held for decades. Yet from this maelstrom of violence, repressed by the state and denounced by conservative Muslims, an Islamic democracy movement emerged, strengthened, and played a central role in the 1998 overthrow of the Soeharto regime. In 1999, Muslim leader Abdurrahman Wahid was elected President of a reformist, civilian government.
In explaining how this achievement was possible, Robert Hefner emphasizes the importance of civil institutions and public civility, but argues that neither democracy nor civil society is possible without a civilized state. Against portrayals of Islam as inherently antipluralist and undemocratic, he shows that Indonesia's Islamic reform movement repudiated the goal of an Islamic state, mobilized religiously ecumenical support, promoted women's rights, and championed democratic ideals. This broadly interdisciplinary and timely work heightens our awareness of democracy's necessary pluralism, and places Indonesia at the center of our efforts to understand what makes democracy work.
312 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 6, 2015
After reading "A Battle for The Soul of Islam" by Zuhdi Jasser (a practicing Muslim and American conservative. Interesting mix, no?), I was very much against political Islam. However, this book give a more nuanced view of political Islam, that it is not inherently radical but a matter of interpretation just like democracy. As much as I'd want my religion to be a personal devotion not politicized, (bearing in mind that the majority of the people here are still "religious"), I cannot agree more with Hefner that the best way for Indonesia is the middle path: Islam as a public religion. This way Islam would not be marginalized nor succumb to the whims of those in power. As history often shows us, repression of Islamic movements (or any kind of movements in that matter) is not the answer because it only drives them toward radicalization.
February 26, 2018
Since the very first formation of Indonesia as a nation-state, Islam played a significant role. Like Kahin said, it had been a key catalyst for solidarity between peoples in different islands in East Indies. After Indonesia gained its independence, that power needs to deal with other faction, to make sure that everyone could feel comfy under the same roof. So they choose Pancasila as a basic value for Indonesian constitutional system, instead of Islam. Like what had been told in the subtitle, "Civil Islam" then try to argue and discuss Islam in Indonesia ability to deal with democracy after that moment. With recent uplift of radical Islamic politic movement in Indonesia, "Civil Islam" is a must-read.
February 18, 2014
I found this book accidentally when I wanted to write my first paper at UPEACE. I knew Robert W. Hefner is an Indonesianist who spent a lot of his time to research about civil society in Indonesia. But through this book, I learned that, there are so much elements between Islam, culture, and the debate between it in Indonesia.
A must read for those who are really passionate in exploring the history of Islam in Indonesia.
A must read for those who are really passionate in exploring the history of Islam in Indonesia.
October 22, 2008
Great survey of modern Indonesian political history - if you can stomach the minutiae. Also, beware his politics re: Shari'a and its potential inclusion in a post-Suharto Indonesian secular-though-Islamic state.
May 29, 2012
Could not have finished my thesis without this amazing book. A must read for those who are interested in exploring the history of Islam as a religion and culture in Indonesia.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews