The growing influence of conservative Islam on mainstream politics in Indonesia has seen increased attention to Islamic organisations and movements in the country. But most analyses focus on well known mainstream groups like Nadhlatul Ulama, or hard-liners like the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI).
Bandung-based Pemuda Hijrah has amassed a huge following among young Muslims but has largely escaped the attention of the mainstream media. Led by charismatic young preachers such as Hanan Attaki, Pemuda Hijrah is followed by millions of young Muslims on social media. It presents a cool, hip image that combines youthful energy with revivalist Islamic teachings. What does Pemuda Hijrah and other groups like it tell us about the type of Islam that appeals to young Indonesian Muslims? What roles might these young Muslims play in electoral and identity politics in the future?
In Talking Indonesia this week, Dr Charlotte Setijadi discusses Pemuda Hijrah and Islamic youth movements in Indonesia with Dr Quinton Temby, research fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore and visiting fellow at the Department of Political and Social Change at the Australian National University’s Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs. Dr Temby has spent most of the last year living in Bandung researching Pemuda Hijrah.
The Talking Indonesia podcast is co-hosted by Dr Charlotte Setijadi from Singapore Management University, Dr Dave McRae from the University of Melbourne’s Asia Institute, Dr Jemma Purdey from Monash University, and Dr Dirk Tomsa from La Trobe University.
Look out for a new Talking Indonesia podcast every fortnight. Catch up on previous episodes here, subscribe via iTunes or listen via your favourite podcasting app.
Image by Pemuda Hijrah.
