Muslim ummah in Indonesia: Its concept, reality and experience

Abstract

Islam has undergone several renewals throughout its long history in Indonesia. These renewals have resulted in stratifications leading to the formation of sects within Indonesian Muslim community. Meanwhile, Hinduism and Buddhism - the two dominant religions which came before Islam - still exist amongst a small number of the population, and Christianity is gaining more adherents. In effect Indonesia is becoming an ethnically, religiously and professionally pluralistic nation. Differences in opinion are thus unavoidable. The diversity of Indonesian citizens has motivated their leaders to formulate basic principles uniting all religious adherents and ethnics groups as well as all racial diversities. Based on the Pancasila, Indonesia can neither be regarded as a secular state separating religion from politics, nor as a theocratic state. The state constitutionally ensures the freedom of its citizens to practice their individual religions. Even the Muslim ummah themselves believe that Pancasila is not opposed to their religious teachings. The patterns of Muslim and non-Muslim relationships are based on the principles of Pancasila. If the Qur'ân and the Sunnah acknowledge the differences between nations and individuals, they also legitimize differences in opinion amongst the Muslim ummah themselves. Consequently they may be gathered within several organizations, whether these have Islamic attributes or not. Every individual Muslim is free to choose any political party which enables him/her to facilitate his/her political aspirations. This is the concept of ummah in Indonesia. It may be unique compared to the understanding of the same concept in other Muslim countries.