The Diverse Voices of Political Islam in Post-Suharto Indonesia

Abstract

Since the resignation of Suharto as president of Indonesia in May 1998, the country has suffered from chronic instability on various fronts. Economic disruption resulting from the Asian economic crisis of 1997 continues. Food shortages have been widespread throughout the archipelago. Social instability has been rife, especially in densely populated areas where communities have had to compete for scarce resources. Inter-religious conflict has exploded, especially between Muslim and Christian communities, reflecting a common outcome of economic and social instability. This paper will focus upon Indonesia in the period May 1998-July 2001 and will draw upon wide-ranging print and electronic media reports as well as secondary scholarship. Particular attention will be devoted to the political stage and to the changing role of Islam in that context. We will consider the different voices being heard among the Muslim community, the key issues of debate that have preoccupied Muslim political leaders and the ingredients which have contributed to a surge in Muslim-Christian conflict in Indonesia during the period being examined.