Understanding Islam in Indonesia: Politics and Diversity
Please join us for the launching of “Understanding Islam in Indonesia” by book author Dr. Robert Pringle, who will also have signed copies of the book available. Commentators on the book will be Dr. Jonah Blank, Policy Director for South and Southeast Asia for the Committee on Foreign Relations of the U.S. Senate, and Salman Al Farisi, Indonesian Embassy Chargé d’Affaires.
As people are increasingly searching to understand the role of Islam in Indonesia, Dr. Pringle’s book comes at the perfect time. “This is not only a comprehensive well-balanced and very informative account of past and present developments in Islam in Indonesia but also by far the most readable.” Jamie Mackie, Emeritus professor and visiting fellow in the Indonesia Project, Australian National University.
Popular perceptions of Islam in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country reflect contending stereotypes. The book is a guide to understanding Islam in Indonesia. It is written for non-specialists; journalists, businessmen, tourists, students, and others who usually have limited knowledge of Indonesia or its Islam. It covers such topics as: the role of Islam in Indonesia’s new democracy, the importance of Islamic education, the ongoing debate over Islamic statedom and sharia law, and the susceptibility of Indonesian Islam to radical or terrorist influence.
“An important book that bridges the gap between the more specialist literature and the—often depressingly ill-informed—comments of journalists and ideologues.” – Merle Ricklefs, Professor, Department of History, National University of Singapore.
The writing of Understanding Islam in Indonesia: Politics and Diversity was supported by USINDO, as part of its mission to inform American audiences about Indonesia.
The launch will be preceded by a reception.