Review by Inside Indonesia

by Greg Fealy

English-language monographs on contemporary Indonesian Islamic politics are relatively scarce: those with academic credibility are even fewer. In the past year, Zachary Abuza and Angel Rabasa have both published error-ridden, non-specialist works on political Islam which will probably add to the misunderstandings and stereotypes of this topic. By contrast, Bahtiar Effendy's book is a welcome addition to the literature on political Islam. It is based largely on his 1994 PhD thesis at Ohio State University. An Indonesian-language version of the thesis was published in 1998 and it has become a standard text on Suharto-era Islamic politics and thinking. Some of the theoretical sections from the original thesis have been omitted from the English-language version but it contains a useful epilogue on the role of Islamic parties and intellectuals since the fall of Suharto in 1998. As the title suggests, Bahtiar is primarily concerned with the tension created among Muslims and also between Muslims and non-Muslims regarding the role of Islam within the Indonesian state. He provides an historical overview of the 'Islamic state' issue but concentrates on political and intellectual developments during the New Order Period. He is interested in the endeavors of various Muslim thinking to stimulate new approaches to religious activism and avoid confrontation with the Suharto regime. Bahtiar's narrative and analysis is lucid, detailed and admirably balanced. Though his own orientation is pluralist, he writes respectfully of the Islamist position. Islam and the State in Indonesia is an authoritative and thoughtful contribution on Indonesian Islamic politics.

Inside Indonesia
P.31
April/June 2005