Insights Into the Lives of Indonesian Female Tablighi Jama’at

Abstract

AbstractTablighi Jama’at is one of the most popular Islamic purist movements in the world. Although it has a growing presence in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country, little research has thus far been done on its activities in that country. To gain access to Indonesian society, the Tablighi Jama’at has been particularly original in choosing a uniquely Indonesian institution as its entry point: thepesantren(Islamic boarding schools). The role ofpesantrenfor the Tablighis in Indonesia is not confined to spreading Islamic knowledge, they also serve as a hub of Tablighi activities. This paper focuses on examining the role of the Tablighipesantrenin shaping and transmitting religious knowledge to its Indonesian followers, and in particular to female followers, as there is to date no scholarship on this topic. It analyses the life experiences of female Tablighis inside and outside thepesantrenand their passion to belong to a global imagined Tablighi community. Transnational travel of female Tablighis from diverse neighbouring countries is a central part of thepesantrenexperience. For Indonesian Tablighi women, the presence of these female guests and foreign students who are enrolled in thepesantrenplay a significant role in strengthening their passionate desire to be part of the global Tablighi Jama’atumma.