THE STRAITS TIMES, Wednesday, January 2, 2002
Many Muslim Indonesians say they want an Islamic state
A recent survey which shows they are becoming more devout has also raised fears of
growing radicalism in the country
By Devi Asmarani, STRAITS TIMES INDONESIA BUREAU
JAKARTA - Muslim Indonesians are becoming more devout and many long for the
their country to become an Islamic state, according to a recent survey.
But the survey, carried in the latest English-language edition of the Tempo news
magazine, also raises fears of growing radicalism in the country which has the world's
largest Muslim population.
There were 506 Muslim respondents to the survey, which was conducted in person
and by telephone across five regions in Jakarta from Dec 1 to Dec 5.
The findings indicate that many are becoming less tolerant of people who follow other
religions, political beliefs, or belong to other ethnic groups.
A total of 72.5 per cent of the respondents said members of these minority groups
should not be allowed to teach in public schools, 47 per cent do not like church
services held in their neighbourhood, and 42 per cent would refuse to have new
churches built in their neighbourhood.
Conducted by the Centre for Research on Islam and Society (PPIM) in the Syarif
Hidayatulah Islamic State Institute in Jakarta, the survey said that abangan Islam - a
syncretic religious practice of mostly Javanese people that blends Islamic beliefs with
pagan or other rituals - is no longer as prevalent as in the past.
Ninety-three per cent of the respondents said they never prepared ritual food offerings,
94 per cent said they do not burn incense, and 97 per cent said they never consult a
psychic or spiritual doctor.
Muslim scholars attribute this trend to the revival of Islamic teachings in Indonesia
over the last decade.
For the most part of former President Suharto's regime, fundamentalist movements
were suppressed because of the potential challenge they posed to the government.
It was only in the last decade of his rule that Mr Suharto embraced the Muslim
community.
The survey says that more Muslim women in the country now wear the headscarf,
whereas in early 80s, it was forbidden in public schools and offices.
In the cities, upwardly mobile professionals hold religious classes with like-minded
colleagues at their homes to learn about Islamic teachings.
More people also think Islam should have a greater role in governing the state.
At least 58 per cent of the respondents said they support an Islamic government
based on the Quran and Prophet Muhammad's teachings and run by Muslim clerics.
Sixty one per cent said the state must require Muslims to follow Syariah or religious
laws.
Commenting on the growing intolerance towards the minority groups, PPIM
researcher Saiful Mujani said: 'The Christians and ethnic Chinese represent a group
that dominate the economy.'
But non-Muslims are not the only object of intolerance.
Two per cent of the respondents said they did not like the militant Laskar Jihad group
- whose members clashed with the Christians in Maluku and Central Sulawesi -
because it provoked hatred and violence.
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INTOLERANCE: Almost 80% want other faiths outlawed
* Discrimination: 79.6 per cent think the government should outlaw groups that follow
other faiths, political beliefs or have a different ethnicity; 72.5 per cent think members
of these groups should not teach in public schools
* Islamic state: 58 per cent support an Islamic government led by Muslim clerics, 23
per cent oppose it.
* Syariah law: 61 per cent say the government should enforce it on every Muslim
* Adulterers should be stoned to death: 42 per cent for, 39 per cent against
* Chopping off thieves' hands: 29 per cent for, 55 per cent against
* Wearing headscarves for Muslim women: 44 per cent for; 39 per cent against
* Police should ensure Muslims pray five times a day: 80 per cent against
* Muslims should be arrested for not fasting during Ramadan: 77 per cent against
* Piety: 81.4 per cent always fast during the Ramadan; 77 per cent always pray five
times a day
Copyright © 2001 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.
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