The Monash School of Political and Social Inquiry proudly presents in conjunction with the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law
Religion and Society in Indonesia after the Cikeusik Murders
29 August 2011
Held at Monash University Law Chambers, 555 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Inside Indonesia has published this paper 'Religious radicalism and cultural change' by Islamic State University Professor Dadang Kahmad on religious radicalism and cultural change, which was first presented at our 2011 event on Indonesia's Cikeusik murders.
The Indonesian province of West Java, and its capital city Bandung, are important sites for observing the complexity of religious freedom and pluralism in the Republic of Indonesia. Since the 1920s, Bandung has been home to a number of groups promoting diverse ideological positions towards religious equality. In recent years, the province has seen low-level violence and intimidation of non-mainstream religious groups, including the Ahmadiyah sect. The recent murder of three Ahmadiyah Muslims by a mob in the district of Cikeusik, in the nearby province of Banten, has brought greater attention on the western part of Java as a region in which religious conflicts are causing serious consequences.
This forum on religious diversity and social harmony in Indonesia was co-hosted with the Monash School of Political and Social Inquiry. The panelists are experienced educators and religious leaders from West Java, whose institutional involvements put them in privileged positions to comment on religious conflict in the region.
Panelists
Professor Dr Dadang Kahmad, Muhammadiyah Central Executive; Director of Post-Graduate Studies, Islamic State University, Bandung; former West Java chair of Inter-Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB)
Professor Dr Asep Saepul Muhtadi, Professor and former dean in the Faculty of Predication (dakwah) and Communications, Islamic State University, Bandung; Adviser to West Java Provincial Government on social inclusion
Mr Hendar Riyadi, Lecturer, State Islamic University, Bandung; Member of Muhammadiyah Young Intellectuals Network (JIMM); Member of inter-faith harmony network (JAKATARUB)
Dr Julian Millie (chair), Researcher and lecturer, Anthropology section, School of Political and Social Inquiry, Monash University