Alternative Voices in Muslim Southeast Asia

Norshahril Saat, Azhar Ibrahim (editors)

Paperback

9789814843805

Discourse and Struggles

According to some observers, Southeast Asian Islam is undergoing a conservative turn. This means voices that champion humanist, progressive or moderate ideas are located on the fringes of society. Is this assessment accurate for a region that used to be known for promoting the "smiling face of Islam"? Alternative Voices in Muslim Southeast Asia examines the challenges facing progressive voices in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore today. It examines their discourses, which delve into how multiculturalism and secularism are the way forward for the diverse societies of these three countries. Moreover, it analyses the avenues employed by these voices in articulating their views amidst the dominance of state and quasi-state religious officials who seek to restrict and discipline them.

Contents

Overview-Opinion Pieces

1.  The Politics of Islamic Discourse in Malaysia - Norshahril Saat

2.  Civil Society-State Engagements on Religion in Malaysia - Dina Zaman

3.  Religious Orientations in Contemporary Indonesia - Pradana Boy

4.  Inhibited Reformist Voices: The Challenge of Developing Critical Islamic Discourse in Singapore - Azhar Ibrahim

Progressive Islam As Alternative Voices

5.  Religious Resurgence amongst the Malays and its Impact: The Case of Singapore - Noor Aisha Abdul Rahman

6.  The Trials of the Progressive: Malay Literary and Cultural Expressions in Singapore - Azhar Ibrahim

7.  The Meaning and Objectives of Progressive Islam - Syed Farid Alatas

8.  Mainstreaming Alternative Islamic Voices in Malaysia - Norshahril Saat

Challenges Facing Alternative Voices

9.  Democracy and the “Conservative Turn” in Indonesia - Zainal Abidin Bagir and Azis Anwar Fachrudin

10. Sunni-Shia Reconciliation in Malaysia - Mohd Faizal Musa

11. Contemporary Human Rights Issues in Indonesia - Ahmed Suaedy

12. Ahmadiyah and Islami Revivalism in Twentieth-Century Java, Indonesia: A Neglected Contribution - Ahmad Najib Burhani