1
ISLAM AND DEMOCRACY : REFLECTING THE ROLE OF ISLAM
ORGANIZATIONS IN INDONESIA (CASE STUDY OF NAHDLATUL
ULAMA AND MUHAMMADIYAH )
by
Dr.A.Gau Kadir,MA
(Lecturer at Government Department, Social and Political Facultry, Hasanuddin
University)
Abstract
This paper focuses on Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah Organizations
in the Indonesian democracy. The organizations are Islam organization and it can
play an important role in the Indonesian democracy. The purpose of this study is
to analyze the Islam organizations interact with Indonesian democratization
process. This study located in three cities namely Makassar City, Maros City and
Sungguminasa City. Research method is survey data containing two Islam’s
organization locate in these cities. NU is the largest traditionalist organization.
The survey show, for the purpose of NU’ establishment, education is the first
category mentioned. Economic is the second purpose. Politics is as ranking third
and health is the last category. Then, for the motivation of the formation of the
NU organization, promotion of the community’s development agenda is the
category most often mentioned as the main motivation. The second is desire to
improve the community. Third is need to address challenges facing the
community and the last is need to provide leadership to the community.
Significant is most often mentioned for the role of the government in terms of
NU’s development. Muhammadiyah is also the oldest Islamic organization in
Indonesia. Education appears very strong for the purpose of Muhammadiyah’
establishement. This is followed by economy, politic, others and health. For the
motivation of the formation of the Muhammadiyah organization, need to address
challenges facing the community is the main. Desire to improve the community is
second. Then followed by promotion of the community’s development agenda
and need to provide leadership to the community. The government plays a role in
terms of Muhammadiyah’s development. These data show that the enhancement
of the role of Islam organization in Indonesian democracy process in all sectors
especially in education sector.
---------------------Key Words: Indonesian Democracy, Islam Organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama,
Muhammadiyah, Survey Data.
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Introduction
There are six formal religions in Indonesia namely Islam, Catholicism,
Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism. The Ministry of
Religious Affairs officially recognizes these faiths. Indonesia is not an Islamic
state although approximately 240 million people of which more than 85% follow
Islam. Moreover, in the world, Indonesia has a larger Muslim population than any
other country with approximately 202.9 million identifying themselves as Muslim
which 87.2% of Indonesia’s total population (Tracy,2011:1). Indonesia is not an
Islamic state, but it is expressly religious. The Constitution of Indonesia said that
“all persons the right to worship according to their own religion or belief” and
states that “the nation is based upon belief in one supreme God” (Indonesian
Constitution, article 29). All citizens must identify their religion as one of these
six on their identity cards and also other official documents such as birth and
marriage certificates.
Meanwhile talking about democracy in the world, After India and the
United States of America, Indonesia is the world’s third largest democracy.
Indonesia has had five presidents since the fall of President Suharto namely
B.J.Habibie, Abdurrahman Wahid, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo. All of the presidents have taken power by
democratic means. Indonesian people have enjoyed freedom of expression and
opinion, freedom of information, checks and balances between the executive and
legislative branches of government, and a depoliticized military. Moreover,
Indonesian people can choose president and legislative with an extensive
regulatory framework that directs. In 2004, democratic consolidation has occurred
through successive rounds of national elections. Since 2005, hundreds of local
elections known by the Indonesian acronym, Pilkada,have begun, namely the
direct election of governors (gubernur), regents (bupati) and mayors (walikota)
(The Asia Foundation,2015:1).Pilkadais one of example of direct democracy
because politicians and candidates alike must learn how to communicate with
constituents, and to deliver on promises once elected.
These developments are reflected as Southeast Asian countries, the
position
Indonesia
holds
the
highest
ranking
in
democracy
ratings
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(Freedomhouse,2015:1). This is as an interesting case study in a broader debate
about the relationship between Islam organizations and democracy in Indonesia.
Statement of The Problem
Relations between Islam organizations and the Indonesian democracy
have always been coexisting. In explaining the finding, there is one reason can be
offered it, namely several Islam organizationdo not play a role in political practice
in Indonesia such as, Nahldatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah but they can give
ideas in social aspect as well as in political life.
Research Question
How Islam organizations interact with Indonesian democratization
process?
Purpose of Study
The main purpose of this paper is to analyze Islam organizations interact
with Indonesian democratization process.
Research Method
Using survey data containing two Islam’s organization located in three
cities namely Makassar City, Maros City in Maros district and Sungguminasa
City in Gowa District, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The study focuses on
Islam organizations namely NU and Muhammadiyah. These organizations are
Islamic modernist movement. However, NU and Muhammadiyah are not political
party but this study wants to look these organizations in Indonesian democracy
process. The project collected data from three cities in South Sulawesi. Overall,
the data contain information on 85 respondents from 60 households and 2Islamic
organizations. The survey was carried out between March and April 2015.
There are 4 types of questionnaires
(1) Household questionnaire for men
(2) NU organization questionnaire
(3) Muhammadiyah organization questionnaire
(4) Community questionnaire
This paper that based on questionnaire focuses the data on Islamic organizations.
The aim of this paper to study how Islamic organizations contributes to the
Indonesian democratic process. The areas of this study focus on the regions that
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have at least 2 Islamic organizations. The sampling method employed is
purposive random sampling, to ensure the existence of at least 2 Islamic
organizations in each city chosen.
Analysis
Islam and democracy have a good relationship in Indonesia because the
fragmentation of Islamic authority in Indonesia civil society (Sidel,2015: 1).
Some scholars said that resources in Islam can accommodate a successful
democratic state (Espito,1983,1996; Espito,2002b; Wright,1996; Fuller,2003;
Norris&
Inglehart,2003;
Esposito,1998;
Hafner,2000;
Midlarsky,1998;
Hoffman,2004). This research shows that Islam organizationscan play a central
role in shaping the socio-political landscape of Indonesian Muslim politics.
This paper describes activities these organizations in Indonesia generally,
so that we can get information about Islam interacts with Indonesian
democratization process. First. Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). It is the largest
“traditionalist” organization. Its activities focus on social and education religious.
It operates a majority of the country’s Islamic boarding schools. NU is not
political party but its leader Abdurrahman Wahid became as Indonesian President
from 1999 to 2001. He was a chief of NU and the most respected figures in
Indonesian Islam and the most politically active. He was also a chief the political
discussion group Forum Demokrasi. This forum welcomed to human rights
advocates. In 1999, he was elected as Indonesian president through a vote by the
People’s Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat/ MPR). He
was the first candidate to win the presidency when the Indonesian democracy
begun. Moreover, NU has many intellectuals who is well educated and enjoys
activities in which they have to think seriously about democracy, pluralism, civil
liberty and delegitimizing political Islam. Through this organization, Wahid and
other NU’s members have campaigned for liberal Islam and disseminated tolerant
views to other Muslims. In 1952, NU entered politics after splitting from the
Masyumi Party.
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Figure 1. The Purpose of NU' Establishment
50
40
30
20
The Purpose of NU'
Establishment
10
0
As figure 1 show, education is the first category mentioned as the
important aim of the NU organization. The ulama of NU are the scholar-legists of
Islam. They have the religious sciences especially the Qur'an, exegesis and
interpretation of the religious law, shari'a. In Indonesia, the shari'a predominates
of the four traditional schools of law. Through the organization, Ulama propagates
the understanding and practice of Islam in accordance Al Qur'an and promotes
cooperation between scholars of all the schools. NU also establishes several
schools such as madrasas, boarding schools (pesantren) and universities for the
training of future generation of ulama. Wahid Hasyim (1900-1957) reformed the
system education in the pesantren and the traditional institutions of Islamic
learning. He introduced the education of girls. He also established a women’s
organization (Muslimat) and a youth organization (Ansor).
Economic is the second purpose. NU undertakes education and economic
activities through its network of many Islamic boarding schools or pesantren and
universities. NU also gives funds for schools, hospitals and organizes
communities to help combat poverty.
Politics as ranking 3rd as the purpose of the organization’s establishment.
NU served in a number of cabinet posts during the liberal democracy era (19501957). The NU held three seats with Zainul Arifin appointed second deputy prime
minister in the first Ali Sastroamidjojo Cabinet. The NU came in third behind the
Indonesian National Party and Masyumi when Indonesia held its first
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parliamentary elections on 29 September 1955. In the People’s Representative
Council, NU was awarded 45 seats. Gus Dur announced the establishment of the
National Awakening Party (PKB/ Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa) in July 1998. It is
a moderate Islamic and based on the NU’s political aspirations. In 1998 before
President Soeharto resigned, Kyai Muchid of Muzadi from Jember and Gus
Yusuf Muhammad and others Kyai held a meeting at Pesantren Langitan to talk
about problems in Indonesia. The Kyai held a grand Istighosah to establish a party
based on the NU's political aspiration in the office of the East Java Nahdlatul
Ulama (NU) on May 30,1998.On June 6,1998, more than 200 Kyai attended the
meeting to make Standing Committe that consisting of 11 people with Kyai
H.Cholil Bisri as chairman and Gur Yusuf Muhammad as secretary.On July 4,
1998, The Standing Committee and representatives of the NU held a major
conference in Bandung to discuss the name of the organization. They chose Partai
Kebangkitan Bangsa.In the 1999 elections, this party won 13 percent of the votes.
The party gained 10.57% of votes in the 2004 elections. The party won 52 seats in
the People's Representative Council in 2004. In the 2009, the party gained 4.9
percent of the votes and 27 seats in the legislature. In 2014, the party gained
9.04% of the votes and 19 seats in the legislature (The Jakarta Post,2009; The
Jakarta Post,2014). The party focuses on strengthen democracy especially
increasing the prosperity of people who lives in villages, increasing the prosperity
of farmers and fisherman, increasing the development of disadvantaged areas,
increasing the prosperity of laborers and increasing the involvement of women in
all sectors.
Only a few people mentioned health as one of the purposes of NU’s
establishment. The example category other is social work but only is another
category but only often mentioned as one of the aims of NU’s establishment.
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Figure 2. The Motivation of the formation of the
NU organization
70
60
50
40
30
The Motivation of the
formation of the NU
organization
20
10
0
Desire to
improve the
community
Need to
Promotion of
Need to
address
the
provide
challenges community's leadership to
facing the development
the
community
agenda
community
As figure above show, for each the motivation of the formation of the NU
organization, promotion of the community’s development is the category most
often mentioned as the main motivation. These are generally followed by desire to
improve the community and need to address challenges facing the community
then for the last need to provide leadership to the community.
Figure 3. The Role of the Government in Terms
of NU's Development
60
50
40
30
The Role of the Government
in Terms of NU's
Development
20
10
0
Completely Not quite
insignificant significant
significant Completely
significant
For the role of the government in terms of the NU’s development, significant is
most often mentioned around 50%.
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Second, Muhammadiyah. Muhammadiyah founded in 1912 in Yogyakarta.
It is also the oldest Islamic organization in Indonesia. In 2011, Muhammadiyah
has 29 million members (Aljunied,2011:281). It has contributed to many
landscapes of modern Indonesia such as social, political, economic, and
educational through its schools, universities and hospitals. Its ideas influenced the
societal and political institutions. The key members of the Muhammadiyah have
played the crucial role in the formulation, revision and dissemination of the
ideology of the movement.
Figure 4. The Purpose of Muhammadiyah'
Establishment
70
60
50
40
The Purpose of
Muhammadiyah'
Establishment
30
20
10
0
Education
Health
Economy
Politic
Others
As figure 4 show, for the purpose of Muhammadiyah’ establishment, education
appears very strong. Through education sector, Muhammadiyahpromotes civil
liberties, human rights, the rule of law, tolerance, and justice. The national
guideline policies on education and social activities is arranged by the
Muhammadiyah national office for the different levels of Muhammadiyah
office.For example, through education sector, Aisyiyah as branch of Woman
Muhammadiyah manages a kindergarten; a primary school is managed by another
branch; junior and senior secondary schools is managed by a Muhammadiyah
district office; and a college is managed by a Muhammadiyah provincial
office.Based on data of Persyarikatan Muhammadiyah in 2010, the organization
has 2,289 pre-schools, 2,604 primary schools, 1,722 junior secondary schools
(regular and madrasahs schools, and 1,023 senior secondary school that consist of
regular, vocational schools, madrasahs, and pondok pesantren, and for persons
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with disability, there are 71 schools. For universities, there are 162 universities
and colleges (Muhammadiyah,2010). All these schools have adopted the national
curriculum standards. For all categories, the majority of the purpose of
Muhammadiyah establishment is education. This is followed by economy, politic,
others and health.
Figure 5. The motivation of the formation of the
Muhammadiyah organization
70
60
50
40
30
The motivation of the
formation of the
Muhammadiyah
organization
20
10
0
Desire to
improve the
community
Need to
Promotion of
Need to
address
the
provide
challenges community's leadership to
facing the development
the
community
agenda
community
As figure 5 shows, need to address challenges facing the community is the main
most of the motivation of the formation of the Muhammadiyah organization. The
second is desire to improve the community, then promotion of the community’s
development and need to provide leadership to the community.
10
Figure 6. The Role of the Government in Terms
of Muhammadiyah's Development
60
50
40
The Role of the Government
in Terms of
Muhammadiya's
Development
30
20
10
0
Completely Not quite Significant Completely
insignificant significant
significant
As figure 6 shows, the government plays a role in terms of Muhammadiyah’s
development.
Conclusion
This paper show that the enhancement of the role of Islam organization in
Indonesian democracy process in all sectors such as education, economy, politic,
health and other sectors. That is mean, the paper capture the substantive role of
Islam in practice.
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