The Role of Political Islam in Shaping Indonesian Culture and National Identity in the Modern Era

Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world and a long history of interaction between Islam and politics. From the era of Islamic kingdoms and colonialism to independence and modern times, Islam has played an important role in shaping the nation's culture and identity. In the modern era, this role is subject to complex power relations amidst various challenges and opportunities that arise from the issues at hand. 

In this article, I would like to discuss how political Islam has contributed to the formation of Indonesian culture and national identity and identify the Challenges and opportunities faced in the current context.

History and Political Roots of Islam in Indonesia Islam

first reached the islands through trade routes around the 13th century. After that, the influence of Islam increased rapidly with the establishment of Islamic kingdoms such as Samudra Pasai, Demak, and Islamic Mataram.  Islam played an important role not only in religious life but also in the political and social structure of society. In the Dutch colonial period, Islamic scholars and celebrities often led resistance movements against the colonisers, showing that from the beginning, Islam functioned not only as a religion but also as an important political and social force. 

For example, figures like Diponegoro combined religious fervour with political struggle against colonialism.

Even after independence, the political role of Islam continued.

Islamic parties such as Masyumi and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) played an important role in the state formation process. Pancasila as the foundation of the state also takes into account the values of religions, including Islam, reflecting Indonesia's plurality. This shows how Islam is integrated into the political structure and ideology of the state.

The Role of Political Islam in the Formation of National Culture

Islam has become one of the pillars of the formation of Indonesian national culture. Various traditions, customs and values that develop in society are influenced by Islamic teachings. For example, the tradition of gotong royong and consensus deliberation that characterises Indonesian society may have something to do with Islamic values of coexistence and shura. The concept of Shura in Islam emphasises the importance of deliberation and collective participation in decision-making, which is reflected in the practice of democracy in Indonesia.