The Politics of Inclusion: State�s Formation of Moderate Islam in Indonesia

• Main Authors: , ANGGA YUDHIYANSYAH, , Dr. Iqbal Ahnaf.
• Format: Theses and Dissertations NonPeerReviewed
• Published: [Yogyakarta] : Universitas Gadjah Mada 2013
• Subjects: ETD
• Online Access: https://repository.ugm.ac.id/123643/; http://etd.ugm.ac.id/index.php?mod=penelitian_detail&sub=PenelitianDetail&act=view&typ=html&buku_id=63757
• Institution: Universitas Gadjah Mada

This research examines the relations of Islam and the state within the context of democratic transition and the rise of the so called terrorism marked by the events from within and without the country span from 9/11 bombing in the US to Bali and other following terrorist attacks. Those aforementioned events have shaped the state behaviors toward Islam in Indonesia. This paper argues that the democratic transition and the massive events of terrorist attacks in home and abroad have created condition where the state has come up with the notion of moderate Islam not only as a means of inclusions for Muslim groups but also to acquire �legitimacy� for the project of counter-terrorism run by the state. Current studies on Islam and the state have undermined the role of the state in appropriating the notion of moderate Islam. Additionally, studies on Islam in Indonesia whether it is seen as theological or political preferences is captured from below meaning that Muslim society is conceived as such (radical, moderate, conservative and so forth). This study investigates the state, specifically its agencies namely Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Council of Indonesian Ulama (MUI) and National Counter- Terrorism Body (BNPT). These state agencies are seen as part of the state that effortlessly promotes �moderate Islam� in response to terrorism.