Indonesia And the Muslim World: Islam And Secularism in the Foreign Policy of Soeharto And Beyond (Nias Reports) [Paperback]

Anak Agung Banyu Perwitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2007 | Series: Nias Reports (Book 50)

Popular hostility in Indonesia to US attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq seem easily understandable, as is the ambivalent attitude of Indonesian governments to the US-led war on terror. After all, Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country. But this analysis fails to address the complexity of Indonesia. Much like in Turkey, military and bureaucratic elites since independence have worked to create a more secular nationalist Indonesian identity out of the country's multi-ethnic and multi-religious mix. However, often there has been tension between such a secularist course and elements of the majority Muslim population. This dynamic has especially shaped how Indonesia faces the outside world. Perwita explores Islam as a domestic political variable in Indonesia's foreign policy under Soeharto and argues that the foreign policy toward the Muslim world was increasingly based on domestic political struggles between local actors, particularly the Muslim community and the State. Chapters cover Indonesia's behaviour toward the Organization of the Islamic Conferences and the Middle East conflict, the role of Indonesia in facilitating a peaceful settlement of the conflict between the Phillippines government and the Moro National Liberation Front, and Indonesia's policy toward the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. An epilogue discusses how Indonesian foreign policy is still shaped by the same forces.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Contains a wealth of information on the role of Islam in Indonesia's foreign policy [and] provides enough background and insight... to make this a very useful reference work for scholars of Indonesia and Islam. Quote from external reviewer"

Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Nordic Inst of Asian Studies (April 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8791114926
• ISBN-13: 978-8791114922
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,523,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.