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INDONESIA
Asia Pacific Journal on Religion and Society
Published by Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau
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Articles 68 Documents
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ISLAM AND THE QUESTION OF ITS COEXISTENCE WITH MODERN DEMOCRACY Sofiandi, Sofiandi; Fauzi, Fauzi; Hassan, Alimuddin
Asia-Pacific Journal on Religion and Society Vol 7, No 1 (2023): APJRS
Publisher : Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24014/apjrs.v7i1.28723

Abstract

Islam and Islamic culture are frequently discussed and debated around the world. These discussions have often been linked to immigration in general and assimilation and integration policies, and thus to the coexistence of different religious and ethnic groups, and to the practice of racism and racial segregation in particular. These issues have now become visible in cultural, religious and migration studies, as well as in studies of race relations and socio-economic inequalities. For example, people inside and outside academia question Islamic politics, the place of democracy and human rights in Islam, and most importantly, whether Islam can coexist with other (i.e. Western) cultures. Against this background, it is important to understand the Islamic cultural system, Islamic society and politics, including democracy, in Islam, Muslim views on migration and some other phenomena related to Islam. The article will discuss the norms and values of Islam in relation to current issues and the search for the place of political Islam, democracy in Islam and whether Islam can coexist with other cultures.
STATELESS AND RIGHTLESS: The Human Rights Challenges of Rohingya Refugees in Thailand Hitami, Munzir
Asia-Pacific Journal on Religion and Society Vol 8, No 1 (2024): APJRS
Publisher : Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24014/apjrs.v8i1.37573

Abstract

This article examines the human rights challenges faced by stateless Rohingya refugees in Thailand, a country that neither recognizes them as refugees nor offers pathways to legal protection. Treated as illegal migrants under Thailand’s 1979 Immigration Act, Rohingya are subject to indefinite detention, denial of due process, and systemic exclusion. Drawing on human rights reports, legal frameworks, and critical theory, this study analyzes how statelessness functions as both a legal and political condition, depriving individuals of recognition, rights, and recourse. Employing a theoretical framework that integrates statelessness theory (Arendt, Bhabha), international human rights law (Hathaway), and securitization discourse (Copenhagen School), the article argues that the Rohingya crisis in Thailand represents a form of structural and epistemic violence. It highlights the regional complicity in this marginalization, particularly ASEAN’s inaction driven by non-interference and security concerns. By shifting focus from Myanmar to regional host states, the article contributes to broader debates on statelessness, regional responsibility, and the limits of human rights enforcement in Southeast Asia. It concludes that without political recognition and legal reform, Rohingya in Thailand will remain permanently trapped between borders and beyond protection.
ISLAM AS POPULIST CURRENCY: The Indonesian Case of Religious Nationalism and the Quest for Power Sofiandi, Sofiandi
Asia-Pacific Journal on Religion and Society Vol 7, No 2 (2023): APJRS
Publisher : Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24014/apjrs.v7i2.37456

Abstract

This article investigates the instrumentalization of Islam as a populist currency in Indonesia’s contemporary political landscape. Through a critical discourse analysis of the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election and the 2019 presidential campaign, the study examines how political and religious actors mobilize Islamic narratives, symbols, and emotional appeals to construct the moral superiority of “the people” and delegitimize their opponents. It argues that Islam functions not merely as a system of belief, but as symbolic capital—used strategically to moralize authority, forge collective identity, and exclude ideological and religious “others.” The findings reveal how religious populism in Indonesia has contributed to the erosion of pluralist values and the consolidation of exclusionary politics. The article offers a conceptual proposition of “Islam as populist currency” to understand this phenomenon, and reflects on its implications for democracy, tolerance, and civil society in the world’s largest Muslim-majority democracy.
DECONSTRUCTING THE CHRISTIAN NARRATIVE IN THE PHILIPPINES: Decolonizing Religious Studies and Recognizing Marginalized Communities Kadir, Mohd Amin
Asia-Pacific Journal on Religion and Society Vol 8, No 1 (2024): APJRS
Publisher : Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24014/apjrs.v8i1.37558

Abstract

The Philippines is often portrayed as the only “Catholic nation” in Asia—a narrative deeply rooted in the legacy of Spanish colonialism and perpetuated by religious institutions and the national education system. However, this singular identity conceals the rich diversity of spiritual traditions present across the archipelago, including Muslim Moro communities, Lumad indigenous groups, and practitioners of local ancestral belief systems. This article interrogates the intersection of religion, colonialism, and knowledge-power through a decolonial and collective-reflective approach. Employing a critical narrative methodology, the study draws on the lived experiences of five individuals from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds. Their reflections are analyzed through the theoretical lenses of decoloniality, subaltern epistemologies, and critical sociology of religion. The findings reveal that religious studies in the Philippines continue to be shaped by hegemonic Catholic narratives, which marginalize non-dominant spiritualities through persistent epistemic violence. Nevertheless, the narratives also illuminate how local spiritualities function as sites of resistance and survival against these colonial legacies. This article contributes to the growing movement to decolonize religious studies in Southeast Asia by asserting the centrality of epistemic and spiritual plurality. Decolonization, as argued here, is not merely about inclusion, but about dismantling the very structures of knowledge that have historically silenced alternative voices—and rebuilding a more equitable, dialogical, and just academic field.
LONG DISTANCE MARRIAGE; Fulfillment of Biological Rights and Marital Harmony in the City of Pekanbaru Mustafa, Ali; Pratama, Herdifa
Asia-Pacific Journal on Religion and Society Vol 7, No 1 (2023): APJRS
Publisher : Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24014/apjrs.v7i1.28881

Abstract

The phenomenon and study of long distance marriage couples is a very interesting thing to research. This research seeks to determine the implementation of fulfilling the biological rights of long distance marriage couples and how to maintain household harmony even though they are far apart in Pekanbaru City. The method used in this research is qualitative research through phenomenological studies explained observationally. This research was designed in the form of field research, namely research carried out by going directly to the field and interviewing 15 couples. Through this research, it was found that the respondents who underwent long distance marriages each responded differently to this biological problem because the frequency of their encounters was different. There are once every week, every four months and six months. There are those who are used to it and there are those who still really have a problem with it. Biological desires that are not channeled will have an impact on a person's physical and emotional state which will ultimately also affect household relationships. So the things that respondents did when the desire arose included taking a walk, eating, keeping their gaze, holding back as much as possible, and making a masturbation video call. This kind of long distance marriage condition requires each partner to commit to remaining together even though they are separated by distance and time and to consult if there is a commotion between the husband and wife
THE POLITICS OF PIETY: Sufism, Power, and Network Formations in Asia-Pacific Islam Arnel, Iskandar
Asia-Pacific Journal on Religion and Society Vol 8, No 2 (2024): APJRS
Publisher : Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24014/apjrs.v8i2.37707

Abstract

This article explores the evolving roles of Sufi orders in Asia-Pacific Islam, highlighting their intersections with political authority, religious legitimacy, and digital transformation. Historically, Sufi networks such as the Shattariyya and Qadiriyya–Naqshbandiyya were deeply embedded in the formation of Islamic governance and anti-colonial resistance. Far from being passive or otherworldly, they institutionalized religious authority and shaped Islamic identities across the region. In contemporary contexts, Sufi actors continue to exert influence through translocal networks—particularly the Hadrami diaspora—and by adapting to digital technologies. The rise of virtual zawiyas, social media preaching, and online devotional gatherings reveals a shift in spiritual authority toward more affective, decentralized, and borderless forms. This study argues that Sufism challenges conventional binaries between the spiritual and the political, the local and the global. By positioning themselves as defenders of “moderate Islam” in opposition to Salafi-Wahhabi critiques, many Sufi orders also become key partners in state-led religious governance. Through this lens, Sufism emerges not as a relic of the past, but as a living, networked force shaping the moral and political landscapes of contemporary Islam in the Asia-Pacific.
BEYOND ISLAM-MALAY: Hegemony, Exclusion, and Decolonial Resistance in Riau Hanafi, Imam; Wan Yusoff, Wan Zahari bin
Asia-Pacific Journal on Religion and Society Vol 7, No 2 (2023): APJRS
Publisher : Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24014/apjrs.v7i2.37511

Abstract

The narrative of “Islam is Malay, and Malay is Islam” has become a dominant identity construct in Riau. This article unpacks how such a narrative operates as a hegemonic discourse that excludes non-Muslim Indigenous communities—such as the Akit, Talang Mamak, and Anak Rawa peoples—from being recognized as part of the "Malay group." Drawing on Michel Foucault’s theory of power-knowledge and decolonial approaches in religious studies, this research reveals mechanisms of exclusion through language, cultural policy, and the distribution of resources—all of which privilege the dominant identity. At the same time, Indigenous communities engage in cultural resistance through silence, concealed spiritual practices, and adaptive identity strategies. This article calls for a re-reading of Malay identity through a more pluralistic and inclusive lens, and proposes a decolonial framework as a pathway toward representational and cultural justice in the Riau region.
MALAYNESS AT THE NEXUS OF NATION AND UMMAH: Rethinking the Cultural Politics of Postcolonial Malay Identity Khairudin, Fiddian; Anwar, Sudirman
Asia-Pacific Journal on Religion and Society Vol 8, No 1 (2024): APJRS
Publisher : Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24014/apjrs.v8i1.37559

Abstract

This article seeks to reexamine the trajectory of Malay cultural politics within the broader contestations of identity, religion, and power in Southeast Asia—particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia. Drawing on cultural sociology, Stuart Hall’s theory of cultural representation, Antonio Gramsci’s concept of cultural hegemony, and James Clifford’s notion of “cultural routes,” this study critiques state-driven and puritan Islamic projects that attempt to essentialize and purify Malay identity. Despite its historical formation through centuries of intercultural encounters—including Indian, Arab, Chinese, and maritime-local influences—Malay identity has increasingly been reduced to a homogenized ethno-religious category. Sufi expressions of Islam, customary aesthetics, and localized wisdom are being supplanted by normative-legalist interpretations propagated through state institutions, formal education, and Islamic media networks. Nonetheless, this article also highlights the presence of quiet, grassroots movements that continue to preserve an inclusive and spiritual Islam-Malay heritage, as seen in coastal traditions such as woodcarving, zapin music, hikayat storytelling, and adat practices. The article argues that the future of Malay culture cannot rest upon a singular identity project; rather, it must be grounded in plural expressions, inter-traditional dialogue, and the revitalization of culture as a liberating spiritual space.
DAKWAH AS AN INTERCULTURAL SPACE: Inclusive Islamic Outreach Practices in Japan Masduki, Masduki
Asia-Pacific Journal on Religion and Society Vol 7, No 2 (2023): APJRS
Publisher : Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24014/apjrs.v7i2.37330

Abstract

This article explores the inclusive and contextual Islamic preaching practices (da'wah) among Muslim communities in Japan, particularly those of Indonesian origin. In a predominantly non-Muslim, secular, and culturally homogeneous society, Islamic da'wah in Japan faces unique challenges that require adaptive and creative approaches. Rather than relying on doctrinal messages, Muslim communities engage in social participation, symbolic communication, and cultural dialogue, turning mosques like Tokyo Camii into centers of interfaith and intercultural exchange. Drawing from the frameworks of cultural da'wah, cross-cultural communication, and minority Muslim dynamics, this study finds that da'wah in Japan functions as a space of encounter—bridging Islamic values with Japanese cultural norms through everyday actions, symbolic gestures, and social initiatives. Despite facing stereotypes and limitations, Muslim communities respond with inclusive and humanistic strategies that emphasize coexistence over conversion. The findings suggest that da'wah in minority contexts, such as Japan, is most effective when it emphasizes social harmony, mutual respect, and cultural sensitivity. This study contributes to broader discussions on Islam in non-Muslim societies and highlights da'wah as a meaningful form of cross-cultural engagement in the Asia Pacific.
THE STATE AND HIDDEN DISCRIMINATION: Islamic Preference and the Future of Religious Harmony in Southeast Asia Salayan, Irwandra; Masbukin, Masbukin
Asia-Pacific Journal on Religion and Society Vol 8, No 2 (2024): APJRS
Publisher : Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24014/apjrs.v8i2.37708

Abstract

This study critically examines state-facilitated religious favoritism in Indonesia’s plural democratic context, with a particular focus on the Masjid Paripurna program in Pekanbaru and comparative examples from majority non-Muslim regions. Drawing on structural violence (Galtung), symbolic power (Bourdieu), and theories of misrecognition (Honneth) and hegemony (Gramsci), the research reveals how ostensibly neutral administrative practices—budget allocations, permit procedures, and public moral narratives—systematically privilege majority religious groups. These practices manifest as symbolic violence, normalizing exclusion without overt coercion, and placing minority communities in a persistent dilemma of representation: conform to dominant norms or risk marginalization. Through document analysis, limited in‑depth interviews, and thematic reading of policy discourse, the study argues that such favoritism undermines the secular ideals of equity and erodes trust in the state as a neutral arbiter. It calls for a paradigmatic shift toward institutional equity, ensuring that all faith communities enjoy equal access to material resources, symbolic recognition, and participatory governance in Indonesia’s multi‑religious society

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