Islam

Approximately 88% of the population are Muslims. Islam firstly came to Indonesia in the 11th century through the country’s trade links and gradually replaced the existing Hinduism, Buddhism and Animism most places.

Islam was an important political force during the nationalisation process from 1900, headed by the leading national modernist organization, Muhammadiyah, which was founded in 1912. They now have 30 million followers, and the main goal is to separate Islam from local traditions and at the same time modernise Islam by introducing Western science. They run mosques, prayer houses, clinics, orphanages, poorhouses, schools, public libraries, and universities.

The other major Muslim organisation is the traditionalistic, called Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), founded in 1926. They have approximately 40 million followers, most of them in rural Java. Their vision is to make Indonesia Islam a more relaxed version, founded equally on traditional values and Islamic scriptures. NU runs similar institutions as Muhammediyah, including most of the Islamic boarding schools.

There are also other organizations like Indonesian Islamic Propagation Institute and Islam Liberal Network. People typically practise Islam in a less strickt form than in other parts of the Islamic world.

Del/Tips: