Rise of Islamic Fundamentalism in Indonesia?

There is ongoing debate about whether Indonesia is seeing a rise in Islamic fundamentalism. This article discusses several key examples that could point towards a more radical Islam, including local bylaws influenced by Sharia law, the prevalence of veiling amongst women, and more recently, raids on food stalls during this past fasting month of Ramadan.

Food stall owner Ms. Saeni was preparing food to serve to those breaking fast when public officers raided her stall and confiscated all of the food. Since coverage of the event was leaked onto social media she has received many threats from hard-line Muslim groups, but also an outpouring of donations, including from the President, Jokowi.

Other signs of Islamicization, include over 300 bylaws based on Islamic law in local governments across Indonesia, an increase in the construction of mosques, wearing of the hijab, Islamic television and Quranic study groups. Most of the debate, then, is not about whether or not there is a rise in popular and/or fundamentalist Islam but whether that growth should be attributed to power politics or grassroots faith.

Read the piece published in the New York Times here: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/10/world/asia/indonesia-ramadan-raid-isla...