''Volatile political situation led to radicalism in Indonesia''

New Delhi, Mar 7 (UNI) A conglomerate of 17,000 islands and 300 ethnic groups, Indonesia was long known to the world for its religious tolerance and pluralism.

In the late last century and 21st century, however, it witnessed the rise of Islam in politics leading to what is now known as political Islam.

Sadanand Dhume, a journalist and writer and inaugural Bernard Schwartz Fellow at the Asia Society, Washington shared his observations on the rise of political Islam in Indonesia and its implications in the region, in a conference organised in collaboration with the India chapter of Asia Society.

According to Mr Dhume, who has a long-standing interest in Asia and has recently completed a book on the rise of radical Islam in Indonesia, a major shift in the political sphere of the country came in 1998, though the changes started setting in the 80's itself.

In 1945, after gaining independence, the first Indonesian president Sukaro promulgated 'Pancasila' (Panc-five, Sila-principles) with the aim of inculcating patriotism and as a state ideology to promote multi-culturalism and religious harmony.

On March 11, 1966, Commander of the Army's Strategic Reserve Suharto and his supporters in the military forced Sukarno to issue a Presidential Order in which Sukarno yielded all executive powers to Suharto.

After Suharto took over the reins, the 'Pancsila' principle underwent an indegenisation.

''Suharto saw religion as a threat to his rule and marginalised Muslim groups,'' said Mr Dhume.

''Under his rule, head scarves were banned from college campuses and religious symbols were banned from election campaigns. There was no religious education in schools and colleges. He also enacted legislation banning communist parties and ethnic Chinese who formed the core of business class.'' From 1967-85, the government of Indonesia pushed back any public expression of religion (Islam), he added.

In late 80's, however, for the fist time Arabic names were being used in Kindergartens, Islamic banks were being set up, Muslim think tanks and newspapers were established.

With the downfall of Suharto in 1988 came a major shift in religious tolerance and political sphere. The 'oppressed' Muslim group reorganised themselved and flexed their political muscle.

'Sharia', a notion rejected since Indonesian independence, became the governing principle dealing with almost all the aspect of daily life including politics, economics, banking, law and social issues.

''Women under Sharia were jailed for being alone on the streets after dark and headscarves made compulsory even for Christian students,'' Mr Dhume said.

A strong ethnic animosity surfaced between 'Mohammadiyah', who believe Mohammad was the last prophet and 'Ahamadiyyas', who followed Mirza Gulam Ahmad. Ahmadiya mosques were attacked by the majority radical groups and ''nobody raised a voice against it''.

''Little was done when churches in Indonesia were closed in 1996,'' he added.

The political leadership remained silent as they did not want the majority to turn against them being labelled ''anti-Islamic'' by their rivals.

''One of the major force fuelling the rise of political Islam is the silence over such issues. People talk about it in private but fear debating them,'' Mr Dhume said out of his experiences during his stay in Indonesia.

The rising anger over US foreign policy in West Asia and the invasion of Iraq, Afghanistan, projected as an attack on religious faith, only added to the arsenal of the fundamentalists.

In 1998, Indonesia, traditionally a pluralist state, came to be known for its association with Islam.

In October 2000 Bali bombings proved to be the last nail in the coffin as the terrorist attack exposed to the world 'Jemaah Islamiya' the evil face of the radical Islam in the country, with a well developed network and millions of followers.

The country attracted groups like al-Qaeda for recruiting youths, who were ready to do anything in the so called war against the West.

However, there was no Shia-Sunni conflict in the country, Indonesia is witnessing rising hostility between 'Mohammadiyas' and 'Ahmediyas'.

Mr Dhume said though the economy is ''growing'', the business class comprising of mainly Indonesian Chinese ''have no say in the politics''.

He said due to the rise religious fundamentalism the country's future looks bleak. ''The government does not recognise atheism.

There is lawlessness. Sharia rules the nation and nobody speaks out,'' the scholar said.

Indonesia, which was once mentioned in the same breath as Thailand and Korea is now equated to Nigeria and Pakistan, Mr Dhume concluded.

UNI