The State, Ulama and Islam in Malaysia and Indonesia (Religion and Society in Asia)

The Suharto (1966–98) government of Indonesia and the Mahathir (1981–2003) government of Malaysia both launched Islamisation programmes, upgrading and creating religious institutions. The author argues that, while generally ulamas, or religious teachers, had to support state ideologies, they sometimes succeeded in ŸcapturingŒ the state by influencing policies in their favour. The author builds his argument on strong fieldwork data, especially interviews, and he engages in critical discussion of comparative politics paradigms and the concept of capture. The Suharto (1966-98) Government Of Indonesia And The Mahathir (1981-2003) Government Of Malaysia Both Launched Islamisation Programmes, Upgrading And Creating Religious Institutions. The Author Argues That, While Generally Ulamas, Or Religious Teachers, Had To Support State Ideologies, They Sometimes Succeeded In Ycapturingoe The State By Influencing Policies In Their Favour. The Author Builds His Argument On Strong Fieldwork Data, Especially Interviews, And He Engages In Critical Discussion Of Comparative Politics Paradigms And The Concept Of Capture. Table of Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms A Note on Translation, Spelling, and Other Conventions Preface 1. Introduction 2. The Official Ulama in Indonesia and Malaysia. Emergence, Perception, and Authority 3. The Rise in Piety and the Roots of State Co-optation of the Ulama 4. The Ulama Council of Indonesia (MUI) in the Post-New Order. A Capture in Progress 5. Malaysian Muftis and Official Ulama. The State Captured? 6. Conclusion. The Future of Official Ulama and State Capture Bibliography List of Interviews About the Author Index This author of this book argues that while generally ulamas, or religious teachers, had to support state ideologies, they sometimes succeeded in ŸcapturingŒ the state by influencing policies in their favour.

The Madrasa in Asia presents a nuanced overview of the unknown world behind the walls of these traditional Islamic schools in Asia.