Islam in Indonesia

March 2009. Scarsdale High School, 9th grade classrooms; collaborating teacher: Maggie Favretti. 

Maggie invited me to come to her class to talk about Indonesian experience with Islam; the historical background and its role in political life. It is quite interesting to notice that in Indonesia, the largest Muslim nation in the world, Islam is embraced in a very inclusive approach. With almost 90% of its population follows Islam (more than the entire Middle East combined), the country was established on a modern democracy format. In fact, Indonesia is the world's third largest democracy with a direct voting system in its parliamentary and presidential election. Students learned how the global trade in Asia helped bring different belief systems in Indonesia, including Islam.

Then towards the end, they learned the pattern of Indonesian voters in the general elections. Most Indonesians seem to embrace the philosophy "Islam Yes, Islamic party No." Most voters are very pragmatic in casting their votes. Secular parties have been seen as the better rulers even in ensuring religious and spiritual life of the people.