Indonesian Journal of Islamic Literature and Muslim Society

Politics of Interfaith Diplomacy in Indonesia: A Critical View on World Peace Forum

Ridwan Ridwan — 2024-07-23

This paper investigates politics interfaith diplomacy in Indonesia. Indeed, interfaith diplomacy is part of the inclusion of religion in international relations that has been neglected because of the dominance of the secularity foundation in the realism tradition. After 11 September 2021, interfaith dialogue, is widely used as a framework in solving global religious problems, including in Indonesia. Using a qualitative approach, this research answered the question of why the interfaith diplomacy of the World Peace Forum (WPF) emerges, continues, and becomes successful in maintaining its continuity. In addition, aspects of the socio-political context of interfaith diplomacy were studied. To better understand the puzzle, this working paper employed the concept of New Public Diplomacy in analyzing the topic. The paper contends that interfaith diplomacy emerged in Indonesia because of global conditions that were being hit by global conflict and war as well as clashes between civilizations so that religious organizations and religious leaders such as Muhammadiyah took part in playing the role of inter-religious diplomacy through WPF.

Islamic Hospitality and the Fight Against Islamophobia: The Essential Role of Sharia-Compliant Hotels

Rakhman Priyatmoko — 2024-07-29

The escalating Israel-Palestine conflict triggered a surge in Islamophobia and hate crimes against Muslims worldwide. As part of the Islamic hospitality industry, Sharia-compliant hotels played a crucial role in promoting the values of Islamic hospitality to non-Muslim tourists, with the aim of reducing Islamophobia. Utilizing a literature review approach, this research aims to answer two main questions, 1) how Islamophobia affects the Muslim community in general, and 2) how Islamic hospitality values in Sharia-compliant hotels play an important role in reducing Islamophobia. The study identified that Sharia-compliant hotels had at least four promotable products and services, namely halal food products, the prohibition of alcoholic beverages, protection for female and child tourists, and religion-based preference room services. Practically, this research provides references to Sharia-compliant hotel managers regarding Islamic hospitality values that can be promoted to attract non-Muslim tourists. Effective promotion of the values of Islamic hospitality could significantly contribute to mitigating Islamophobia and its negative impacts, including the rise in hate crimes. In the future, scholars and Islamic researchers needed to engage in more comprehensive research to formulate strategies that captured the hearts of non-Muslim tourists and countered Islamophobia.

The Islamic Perspective on Political Asylum: Analysis of The Rohingya Refugee Issue in Aceh, Indonesia

Ma'adul Yaqien Makkarateng — 2024-07-29

This article discusses the issue of Rohingya refugees in Aceh, Indonesia, from an Islamic perspective. The Rohingya refugees flee from violence and discrimination in Myanmar, seeking asylum in neighboring countries, including Indonesia. This research employs a qualitative method to gather and analyze data to understand the concepts, opinions, and experiences related to this issue. The findings indicate that Islam emphasizes the importance of humanity, even towards non-Muslims. The majority of Acehnese people oppose the Rohingya refugees due to concerns over economic security and social cohesion. However, they do not justify the violation of human dignity and rights. Islam teaches tolerance, justice, and kindness to all of God's creatures. Despite the challenges in handling refugees, support and cooperation from the government and the international community are crucial in seeking comprehensive long-term solutions to the Rohingya crisis. This article also examines political asylum policies from the perspective of Islamic law, emphasizing that Islam is a religion that acknowledges and respects human rights, encouraging its followers to be just and kind to all people, including non-Muslims.

British Scholar’s Perceptions on Capitalism and Religious Ethics In The Age of Techno-Feudalism

Abdurrahman Mas'ud — 2024-07-29

In a feudal system, land is the main source of wealth and power. Meanwhile, Techno-Feudalism holds the concentration of power and data wealth in the digital realm which has a significant impact on economic, social and political structures. This research discusses the dialectics of religious ethics, capitalism and Indonesian citizenship in the face of the rise of techno-feudalism from the perspective of British scholars' orientalism. This study uses a multi-faceted approach, combining interviews, content analysis and scientific publication studies to reveal the complex layers of how British intellectuals interpreted and engaged with the historical discourse of inter-religious interaction in Indonesia amidst the shift from feudalism to techno-feudalism. The challenges of Indonesian citizenship in global civility and the flow of capitalism are the center of attention in this research. This research shows that the complexity inherent in cross-cultural academic interactions demands the growth of different perspectives on citizenship and national identity amidst the rise of techno-feudalism that has taken over capitalism. In this position, the power of religious ethics is increasingly relevant, being put forward as a controlling force towards moderate citizenship and economic system. As a recommendation that techno-Feudalism holds the concentration of power and wealth in the digital realm, which in many ways is considered potentially dangerous, must be immediately addressed in the necessary ways to explore and depict a better future.

Breaking Barriers: The Fight Against Discrimination Among Indonesian Muslim Minority in America

Nadiatus Salama — 2024-09-18

Discrimination against minority groups based on race, religion, and other characteristics has a long-standing history in the United States. This study explores how Indonesian Muslims in major urban areas across the US confront and resist discrimination. Through phenomenological analysis, data were gathered from 16 Indonesian participants residing in eight different states. The findings reveal that Indonesian Muslims employ strategies such as staying calm, exercising self-control, seeking clarification, speaking up, and reporting incidents to authorities to combat discrimination. These coping mechanisms reflect the complexity of discrimination faced by this minority group and underscore the need for robust legal frameworks and collaborative efforts to promote tolerance and respect for diversity. The study offers valuable insights for activists, religious leaders, legal advocates, and academics working to foster an inclusive society. It also emphasizes the necessity for further research, particularly with larger and more diverse samples, to understand the long-term impacts and to develop targeted interventions that support Indonesian Muslims and other minority groups in the US.