Sunny Tanuwidjaja , Jakarta | Thu, 01/29/2009 1:54 PM | Opinion
The predominantly Muslim Indonesia is internationally recognized as the world's third-largest democracy after India and the United States, where most of its Muslim population are moderate and tolerant.
Indonesia is often cited as the prime example on how religiosity, democracy, and plurality blend together and become the basis of society.
This picture is confirmed by statements made by many religious leaders which said that religious life in Indonesia is a moderate and peaceful one.
Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, the two largest mainstream Islamic organizations in Indonesia are considered moderate and inclusive.
Several survey results also show that the Indonesian Muslim majority are moderate and tolerant. For example in 2003, the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) showed that Muslim voters in Indonesia prefer moderate, pluralistic, and democratic political parties instead of political parties whose agenda is to promote Islamic law or an Islamic state. This result was further confirmed by another LSI survey in 2006.
This encouraging picture however has been challenged by recent developments.
On Nov. 11, 2008 The Jakarta Post quoted the findings of the Maarif Institute that conservatism is growing in Indonesia.
The passing of the pornography law and the ban on the Ahmadiyah group to practice their religious duties in public are strong indications, if not evidence, that conservatism is growing in Indonesia.
Two other reports show a similar trend. As cited by the Post, a survey by the Center for Islamic and Social Studies at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta indicated that most Islamic teachers in Java oppose "pluralism".
For example, 87 percent of the respondents admit that they have asked their students not to learn about other religions.
The Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace recently released a report that shows an increasing trend of violations of religious rights and increasing incidents of religious violence from 2007 to 2008.
What is also of concern from this report is the fact that there are many people that contribute and participate in these violations, ranging from well-known radical groups to government-related people such as regents, mayors, and the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI).
Aside from these reports, the Wahid Institute headed by Ahmad Suaedy also regularly issue reports on incidents of violations of religious rights.
The list of incidents and trends that indicate the recent rise of conservatism suggests Indonesia can go further, for example with the increasing role of the MUI in enacting controversial fatwa, and the continuing presence of Islamic bylaws in many regions.
Despite these worrying developments, key leaders in Indonesia, religious and political alike, still emphasize the fact that the majority of Indonesians are religiously moderate and tolerant.
Perhaps they are right. Several political surveys showed how the perceived religious conservative political parties are stagnating while support for secular and nationalist political parties continues to grow. Some observers have considered this to be an encouraging development.
But we need to talk more openly and honestly about the rising religious intolerance.
We are often hypocrites and pretend everything is alright, that intolerance and religion-related violence is insignificant. This issue should not only be whispered in private but also be discussed openly in public. In addition, the general public has to be more proactive in preventing and responding against norms, policies, and behaviors that violate religious freedom.
The majority of Indonesians are religiously tolerant, but they might be too tolerant towards intolerance. Too tolerant towards intolerance is a prescription toward an intolerant society.
The writer is a researcher in the Politics and International Relations Department at CSIS Jakarta, and is currently a PhD Candidate at Northern Illinois University.
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