The political Islam perspective of social movement theory: A case study of FPI in Indonesia

Abstract

Political Islam in Indonesia has always been a worrying twist. During the two decades of Reformasi, the emergence of a massive Islamic movement played a significant role in the national political climate on the one hand and the religious climate on the other. Terrorism itself, in its actions, was born from political Islam that wanted to destroy the state and the government system. This study seeks to examine the FPI from the perspective of social movement theory. Since its establishment as the Islamic Defenders Front, being involved in political dynamics for twenty years, getting banned, and then turning into the United Islamic Front, FPI is an interesting phenomenon that indicates its complexity. Using social movement theory, this study finds that FPI takes advantage of political opportunities, mobilization structures, and framing for each of their movements. FPI’s big agenda, namely upholding Indonesia under the Sharia (NKRI Bersyariah), is a crucial war against the continued existence of FPI as an Islamic orthodox and opportunistic political group and the solidarity of Muslims toward it. Suggestions for further research on this topic include the addition of variables that allow in-depth exploration of the main ideology of the FPI itself and its long-term prospects according to its ideological demands.