Improvisational Islam: Indonesian Youth in a Time of Possibility

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The book entitles Improvisational Islam: Indonesian Youth in a Time of Possibility by Nur Amali Ibrahim describes about unconventional and unexpected ways of being a Muslim in Indonesia. As the author argues, the case study of Indonesia occurred in a heightened political context in which the life of Muslims is portrayed to be a practitioner of Islamic religion by observing their scriptures. At the same time, Muslims also draw on the non-traditional ideas and practices that originated from the West that circulate in their society. In some ways, these two groups of organizations are trying to envision alternative ways of being Muslims to make them independent from the established religious and political authorities. The former observes the Islamic scriptures alongside the Western human sciences. While the latter utilizes the methods originating from the business world to promote religious understanding and spiritual rebirth, including self-help, accounting, and auditing. However, both groups argue that they have a great degree of improvisation and creativity in their interpretations of Islam. In general, the book contains five main chapters. They are discussed under the topics: The Tremblingness of Youths, Religion Unleashed, Accounting for the Soul, Playing with Scriptures, and From Moderate Indonesia to Indonistan. Based on the nature of its discussion, they can be categorized in the subjects of anthropology, religion, and sociology. Published by Cornell University, Ithaca, this book is a good read in its field.