PhD Candidate, Charles Darwin University
Religious Javacentricism as a Driver of Regional Discontent Among Muslims of the Outer Islands
Indonesia has long faced conflict of varying intensities between Java and the so-called ‘Outer Islands.’ Additionally, the country has at times faced instances of religious violence. The model of ‘Islam Nusantara’ has been proposed as a solution to the latter problem of religious violence, through its self-claimed ability to provide a superior model of religious pluralism and tolerance. This paper will discuss whether the discourse of Islam Nusantara contributes positively to tolerance and a diversity of religious and political viewpoints. The historical critique of Sulawesi based Muslim theorists of the concept of ‘Majapahitism’ as a form of Javanese colonialism in their religious practise will form a key part of this discussion also.
Biography
Peter Lilly completed his BA and Honours at the University of Otago, New Zealand in Politics with a minor in History. His dissertation focused on the contemporaneous, theological and historical influences on Khomeini’s formulation of Wilayat-e-faqih (governance by Islamic jurists) and the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Following the completion of his studies, he spent a number of years living in Jakarta and Sulawesi in Indonesia. His research interests include Islamism in postcolonial studies and the relationship between Islam and politics in Indonesia. In September 2024, Peter submitted his PhD thesis for examination.