New Books in Islamic Studies Hans A. Harmakaputra, "Christian-Muslim Relations in Post-Reformation Indonesia: Resistance, Identity and Belonging" (Edinburgh UP, 2026)
Mar 31, 2026
Hans A. Harmakaputra, Indonesian scholar of Christian-Muslim relations and assistant professor, explores how Indonesian Christians respond to rising conservative Islam. He discusses church closings, the Ahok blasphemy case, and grassroots peacebuilding in Maluku. Short, vivid accounts of negotiation, relocation, and creative resistance illuminate identity and belonging in post-1998 Indonesia.
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What Indonesian Islam Means Today
- Indonesian Islam describes a distinctive, accommodationist form of Islam emphasizing moderation, cultural adaptation, and acceptance of pluralism.
- Hans A. Harmakaputra cites Asymardi Azra and Ahmad Najib Burhani and links the term to traditionalist Islam, resistance to political Islam, and local manifestations.
How Post-Islamism Works In Indonesia
- Post-1998 Indonesia saw the rise of post-Islamism, which mixes Islamic values with democratic engagement rather than pursuing an Islamic state.
- Harmakaputra counts traits like regional Sharia regulations (Perda Syariah) and the evolution of Islamic parties such as PKS as markers of this shift.
Ahok Case As A National Flashpoint
- The Ahok blasphemy case became a national flashpoint showing how religion, politics, and identity intertwine in Indonesia.
- Harmakaputra recounts Ahok's status as a Christian, Chinese Indonesian governor, the massive protests, and how Christians experienced fear and mobilization.
