Twelfth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

The relationship of Islam with democracy emerged as a political issue that often causes debate. In a society where religion has become a symbol of identity, the way a liberal democracy must pass through the doors of religious politics. The presence of Islamic politics, especially in public spaces is an important part of the process of reinterpretation of democratic discourse. With this reinterpretation, Islamic political groups play an important role in the growth and consolidation of democracy. In Indonesia, as a Muslim-majority countries, the relationship of Islam with democratic political debate often appears in the reinterpretation of religious ideas that are more conducive to democracy. The background of the Islamic political activists, both cultural and intellectual exist today as theological. According to them, the development of democracy and religious politics can not be fused. Some Islamic political parties that exist and a group of Islamic intellectuals are trying to find a way out of this problem. The contribution to democracy by Islamic parties and intellectuals has been achieved in particular by developing a grounded understanding of Islam, especially in the matter of human rights and governance. This paper seeks to improve the theoretical and practical understanding of Islam and democracy in contemporary politics in Indonesia. Although this relationship is the main focus of this paper, this conclusion may be used more generally to understand the theoretical relationship between religion and politics for democracy in Muslim majority societies.