Islam and politics: Indonesia’s identity crisis
The blasphemy charges against Jakarta’s governor will put Indonesia’s democracy and national identity to the test. Modern Indonesia is testimony to the ability of transition democracies to construct a constitutional framework that can guarantee equality, security and freedom from discrimination for all citizens. Since 1998’s Reformasi (the period of transition after the fall of Indonesia’s […]
Obama’s final religious freedom report slams Muslim blasphemy
The Obama administration”s final report on religious freedoms focused on oppressive blasphemy laws and societal norms in Muslim countries. The report for 2015, posted Aug. 10 on the State Department”s website, begins with a harrowing account of the stoning death last year of Farkhunda Malikzada, a resident of Kabul who was wrongly accused of burning […]
Monster of religious extremism
The new wave of religious extremism and radicalization has intensely excruciated and affected our lives, and we can no longer ignore the impact and influence of the drastically changing religious picture on the geopolitical situation of our country and region. The growing misinterpretation and distorted representation of Islamic teachings by religious extremists have completely damaged […]