Reviews for Civil Islam: Muslims and Democratization in Indonesia

The average rating for Civil Islam: Muslims and Democratization in Indonesia based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2015-02-24 00:00:00 David Schlesinger 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.

Review # 2 was written on 2018-02-25 00:00:00 Syvongsay Saokham 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.