MODERATE ISLAM AS A SOLUTION TO PLURALISM IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD: THE EXPERIENCE OF INDONESIA

Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon occuring in the Islamic world in particular, where religion is experiencing serious self-destructive divisions caused by uncontrolled interests in theology, socio-political and economic matters. This can be seen in several Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan where there are numerous suicide bombings and mass killings among groups who are all Muslims. Indonesia as the world’s largest Muslim country is trying to protect itself from these undesirable threats, especially
those of disunity and separation. This is more so due to the very nature of Indonesia that uniquely has a variety of religions, cultures, languages, customs, ethnic groups and tribes. Based on facts derived from observation and documentation this paper attempts to analyse the phenomenon. The results of the analysis show that Indonesia through the two most dominant religious organizations, namely Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, has developed moderate Islam as a response to its multicultural and multireligious diversity.
Moderate Islam is based on the teachings of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama‘ah in the fields of law, theology and mysticism which are characterized by tolerance, moderation and acceptance of the existence of others. The moderate Islam model followed by these two religious organizations has been accepted globally through the opening of their branches in several Western countries and the Middle East, thus proving that it can be a solution for creating peace and harmony in the world.