
Nahdlatul Ulama leadership race vulnerable to political intervention
Politics, ReligionAs the race for Nahdlatul Ulama's next leader heats up, there are already indications that competition between the two leading contenders is becoming increasingly politicised.

Religious freedom, harmony or moderation? Government attempts to manage diversity
Law, Religion, Society, Top StoriesThe government has recently promoted the concept of 'religious moderation' in its attempts to manage religious diversity in Indonesia. But there are several problems with the approach.

Will Islamist sentiment smother Indonesia’s ‘me too’ movement in the education sector?
Education, Gender, Religion, Top StoriesConservative Muslim groups have confusingly argued that a new regulation seeking to protect students from sexual abuse effectively promotes any sexual acts that involve consent.

Terror arrests likely motivated by political, not security, considerations
Politics, Religion, SecurityThe backgrounds of the three men arrested over alleged terrorism offences on 17 November suggest their capture may be connected to government efforts to neutralise Islamist opposition ahead of the 2024 elections.

Two countries, two identities? The split lives of the Indonesian diaspora in Melbourne
Religion, SocietyYoung Indonesians moving between Indonesia and Australia struggle with language, ethnicity and belonging.

Islamists back at work, pushing conservative gender politics as a ‘response’ to Covid-19
Gender, Religion, Top StoriesThe Prosperous Justice Party's failed attempt to promote polygamy as a solution to the Covid-19 pandemic was misogynistic and displayed a belief that women and girls can only participate in society as wives.

Indonesian sympathy for a ‘changed’ Taliban: more harm than good
Foreign Policy, ReligionSome Indonesian political elites and Islamic leaders have expressed rather hopeful views on the future of governance in Afghanistan under the Taliban. This could be dangerous.

What happened to social context in Indonesian films?
Arts, Religion, SocietyToo many Indonesian films with Islamic themes present moral issues in a simplistic, black and white way that ignores the complexity of contemporary Indonesian society.

A solution to conflict over houses of worship at last?
Human Rights, Law, Policies, Politics, ReligionConflicts over houses of worship are caused in part by a problematic legal framework – this may be about to change