The Fragmentation of Religious Authority in Provincial Towns in Indonesia: The Case of the mui (Indonesian Muslim Scholar Council) in Pekanbaru and Pontianak

Imron Rosidi,Amril Amril,Yasril Yazid

doi:10.1163/26659077-24020001

Imron Rosidi, Amril Amril + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1163/26659077-24020001

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Abstract

Abstract This article discusses the fragmentation of religious authority in Pekanbaru and Pontianak, Indonesia, focusing on the local mui (Indonesian Muslim Scholar Council). Employing qualitative methods, the mui Pontianak and Pekanbaru experience similar religious authority fragmentation due to the human agency. Members of the mui Pontianak and Pekanbaru represent Islamic organisations in Indonesia’s fight for the religious authority of their Islamic organisations, not for the cohesion of religious authority in the mui. Because religious authority has the desired will, it is no wonder that outside the mui Pontianak and Pekanbaru many Muslim figures struggle to preserve it. Individuals challenge the religious authority of the mui Pontianak and Pekanbaru. Some of them are local Muslim preachers. They strengthen and preserve their religious authority by preaching Islam, thus contributing to the growth of the mui fragmentation in these two cities.

Highlights

IntroductionScholars, when discussing religious authority in Muslim societies, refer to ulama (a Muslim scholar having Islamic knowledge and respected in the Muslim community) or kiyai (a symbol given to a Muslim who generally leads an Islamic boarding school) (for example, Burhanudin and Baedowi 2003; Pringle 2010)
Scholars, when discussing religious authority in Muslim societies, refer to ulama or kiyai
In the context of Muslim communities in Indonesia, the plurality of religious authority can be seen from the diversity of religious, social organisations there

Summary

Introduction

Scholars, when discussing religious authority in Muslim societies, refer to ulama (a Muslim scholar having Islamic knowledge and respected in the Muslim community) or kiyai (a symbol given to a Muslim who generally leads an Islamic boarding school) (for example, Burhanudin and Baedowi 2003; Pringle 2010). Robert Pringle (2010, 132) explains that four pillars support the religious authority possessed by a kiyai; religious knowledge, genealogical relations with previous chaplains, heredity (the father is a chaplain) and managerial ability (managing boarding schools). Later he added a fifth element; kiyai’s involvement in the tarekat (Sufi order). The rapid development of modernisation and globalisation has influenced the diversification of religious authority in Muslim societies in Indonesia. After the pesantren underwent modernisation, the kiyai’s authority as a single figure in its development diversified into various individuals or institutions such as waqf (Islamic philanthropy) bodies, foundations, cooperatives and so forth

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