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

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.