Negotiation Between Patuntung and Islam in Kajang, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

This research examines the relationship between Islam as a world religion and Patuntung as a traditional religion adhered to by the Ammatoa indigenous community in Kajang, South Sulawesi. The relationship between these two religions is not only oppositional or harmonious but also dynamic and negotiating. This research uses a qualitative method with a 'New Ethnography' approach, which pays attention to three aspects: self-reflection, polyvocality, and testimony. The findings of this research show that the meeting between Islam and Patuntung produces a hybrid reality, namely Sallang, which is basically a different Islam and another Patuntung. Sallang is a new reality that emerged from the meeting between Islam and Patuntung. This is clearly seen from Ammatoa's belief that the Koran is 40 juz, 10 juz revealed in Kajang, and 30 juz revealed in Mecca. This research provides a new contribution to the study of the relationship between world religions and indigenous religions, especially in Indonesia

Perseverance and Recognition: The Struggle of JAGI Church in Establishing its Unitarian Christian Identity

This article aims to examine the development, challenges, and dynamics of the JAGI Church concerning religious freedom in Indonesia. This research seeks to answer fundamental questions about the identity of the JAGI Church, its mission, its influence in Indonesia's social and religious realms, and the various challenges it faces in the form of discrimination. The research methodology applied to the JAGI Church study uses a qualitative descriptive approach. This research methodology also integrates a historical contextualization approach, which aims to provide a different understanding by placing these events in Indonesia's broader historical, social, and religious context. The results of this research demonstrate a deep understanding of the dynamics of religious freedom and the challenges faced by the JAGI Church in achieving official recognition, as well as describing their efforts in fighting for interreligious dialogue and creating an environment of mutual respect and tolerance. This article also links the JAGI Church case study with the thinking of religious freedom experts, thus providing new insight into the complexities of protecting and promoting religious freedom in the context of a multicultural society like Indonesia

The Typologies of Islamic Thought: Mapping The Contemporary Intellectual Movements in Indonesia

The continuity and change of reformation ideas in the history of the Islamic intellectual movement necessitate a systematic categorization. This article endeavors to present a fresh framework for classifying Islamic thought, drawing inspiration from Fazlur Rahman’s categories of revivalist, classical modernist, neo-revivalist, and neo-modernist. More specifically, this article  examines a reclassification of Islamic thought and elaborates on its implications for the contemporary historical narrative of the Islamic intellectual movement within the Indonesian context. By undertaking a comprehensive literature review and employing a descriptive methodology for data collection and analysis, this article found out eight categories or typologies characterizing contemporary Islamic intellectual movements in Indonesia: (1) the revivalist movement, (2) the classical modernist movement, (3) the neo-revivalist movement, (4) the neo-modernist movement, (5) the traditionalist movement, (6) the neo-traditionalist movement, (7) the post-modernist movement, and (8) the post-traditionalist movement. These typologies commence with the emergence of classical modernism juxtaposed against classical traditionalism as the turning point of the dialectical progression of Indonesian Islamic intellectualism. Each typology has undergone a transformative process and metamorphosis within a dynamic scientific dialectic

Transcending Paradigm: Bridging Spirituality and Modern Science in the Thoughts of Nasr, al-Attas, and al-Faruqi

The research examines the transcending paradigm as a crucial intellectual approach, with scholars like Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, and Ismail Raji al-Faruqi proposing a synthesis of Islamic spiritual principles with modern scientific inquiry. This paradigm aims to bridge the gap between science and spirituality, advocating for a unified model that respects Islamic metaphysical traditions while embracing empirical scientific advancements. Through a systematic comparative and analytical approach, the research thoroughly examines and critiques the philosophical foundations and theoretical frameworks presented by Nasr, al-Attas, and al-Faruqi. This study's synthesis of these scholars' perspectives makes it unique, providing insights into their efforts to move beyond traditional academic paradigms. Their contributions argue for a coherent framework harmonizing divine unity and cosmic understanding. They assert that true knowledge encompasses both the material and the transcendent, offering a holistic and spiritually enriched scientific perspective. This article contributes to enhancing the Islamic intellectual tradition by presenting a model deeply rooted in cultural values and responsive to the complexities of the modern scientific era

The Contribution of West Kalimantan Sufi Scholars In Promoting Community Resilience: The Great Works of The Sufis to Fulfill the Basic Needs of Societies

West Kalimantan is known as a region that produces Sufism thought, which is widely developed and utilized in various areas in Indonesia and the world. It can be seen from their great works in the form of books and development applications that they have created, even in integrating congregations. This research aims to reveal the works of West Kalimantan Sufism Ulama related to their efforts to build social, national and state resilience. The study is carried out over a long period, from 2012 to 2021. Several articles have been published in scientific journals and in book form. The research was conducted using a biographical approach through stories about their activities, the books they wrote, and other works still useful today. The study results show that Sufism scholars in West Kalimantan have their way of responding to changing times. The results of this work can be applied to Indonesia, which continues to grow towards becoming a developed and authoritative country

The Silence Bissu: Cultural Misaccommodation of Local Communities in Ritual Ceremony

This article aims to explain how cultural misaccommodation of rituals in local communities can occur. Bissu as a component of society comes along with negotiations to maintain the rituals and religiosity that have shaped their identity. The presence of bissu in the ritual procession is an authority that they have culturally. Throughout the history of civilisation, bissu were the main, sacred and central party in the ritual procession. However, what happened on Bone's 62nd anniversary was a moment when bissu were not involved. This article is based on data obtained from online searches. News and article searches were conducted as a basis for analysing the cultural misaccommodation of local communities. This article shows that the misaccommodation of bissu in the ritual procession is a weakening of identity and existence. The government in this case becomes the party that eliminates bissu from its roots, the dynamics of polarisation of the ruling group along with a set of laws make bissu misaccommodation a hegemony. Along with the society that places bissu as a minority party, both socially and culturally. Therefore, it is necessary to affirm the authority of bissu as a party that maintains cultural sustainability

Al Qaeda, Islamists and Terrorism in Southeast Asia: A Lesson from the Past

 This article aims to explore the involvement of the Al-Qaeda network in Southeast Asia at the beginning of the 21st century. As an international terrorist organization with sufficient financial and human resources, Al-Qaeda's arrival in Southeast Asia came as a major shock to the local communities affected by it—an injustice caused by the capitalist regimes in the region. The methods used in writing this article are case studies and historical analysis. This article will provide specific examples of Al-Qaeda involvement in several countries in Southeast Asia, such as the case in Poso, Indonesia, where Al-Qaeda members Omar Bandon and Jusuf Galan from Spain provided military training and funding to militant Islamic groups in Malaysia. This article will also discuss Al-Qaeda's involvement in the Philippines, where they formed cells and networks with the Abu Sayyaf and other extreme Islamic groups. The results of this research show that the entry of the Al-Qaeda network in this area has caused terrorism problems and resulted in quite large losses in the form of property and lives. It is hoped that this article will provide new insights and policy recommendations to strengthen counterterrorism efforts in the future.  

Defending Women Beyond Feminism: Gender Perspectives in Indonesia

This article examines the development of gender understanding in Indonesia. Specifically, the understanding of gender discussed in this article comes from the perspective of one of the leading Islamic organizations in Indonesia, namely Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), which has its own way of thinking in defending women's rights. This article aims to show that Nahdlatul Ulama's concept of defending women is different from the concept of feminism that emerged in Western civilization, namely by looking at the capabilities and capabilities of women themselves. Therefore, I use the words "Defending Women But Not Feminism" with the intention of emphasizing that the way NU defends women's rights is not based on the feminist paradigm way of thinking that has developed in modern times. The research methodology used in this research is a qualitative approach. This article uses library research procedures, especially analytical descriptive methods. This research uses book data, relevant literature, and other important sources. This research uses document analysis as a qualitative research methodology. The results of this research show that NU's thinking paradigm in defending women's rights is different from Western feminism. NU has a different view in defending women's rights, namely "beyond feminism”

Offering Rituals (Sesajen): Synthesis of Religion and Culture from the Perspective of Islamic Religious Groups

This research examines the community's offering rituals to honor gods, ancestral spirits, and guardian spirits of sacred places. This ritual caused controversy among Muslims because it contained elements of shirk. This research aims to seek a synthesis of this controversy. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method approach with an ethnographic type. Data collection was carried out through observation and interviews. Data analysis uses interactive methods. The research results show that offering rituals can be synthesized from a religious and cultural perspective with the following conditions: 1) offering rituals are positioned as cultural events, not as offerings as in religion; 2) the meaning of the offering ritual is thanksgiving which is consumed by the community, not left to be eaten by spirits or ancestral spirits because it would be wasteful; 3) the intention of the offering ritual is only for Allah alone and is not mixed or added with other names. As in religion, the intention of sacrifice is for Allah alone, but the object (sacrificial animal) is for humans

A Critical Study of Victor Turner's Liminality, Religion, and Nationality

This paper discusses Victor Turner's theory of liminality, religion, and nationality obtained from primary sources using the literature review method. The results of his study serve as a theoretical basis for discussing Victor Turner's liminality and its relationship to religion and nationality. This theory will help the writer dissect the customary ritual of washing the land in Soya. Liminality is an important aspect of the rite and is adopted from Arnold Van Gennep's concept. The term ‘liminality’ comes from the Latin word 'limen', which means 'doorway'. Viktor Turner used this term in his research on symbols and rituals among the Ndembu people of Africa. Therefore, liminality has such rich characteristics that it provides its own perspective on the life of society and culture today. In addition to Liminality, the writer also examines the theory of religion and nationality initiated by Emile Durkheim and Ernest Gellner. The results of the study show that these three theories have a very close and substantial relationship, in which of these three theories is social equality with one another. This intersection exists as a result of Turner's theory of liminality