Nahdlatul Ulama’s new chair faces a difficult choice: political neutrality or patronage
Politics, Religion, Top StoriesWhat will the election of Yahya Cholil Staquf as the new leader of Nahdlatul Ulama mean for Indonesia's largest Islamic organisation, and politics more broadly?
Best of 2021
Arts, Corruption, Covid-19, Economy, Foreign Policy, Gender, Human Rights, Law, Politics, Religion, Security, SocietyIndonesia at Melbourne will be taking a short break over the New Year period. Here we present the articles and episodes that attracted your attention in 2021. We look forward to seeing you again in mid-January 2022!
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.