Page 6 - INDONESIAN ISLAMIC CULTURE IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES

In later developments, Islamic views that resulted from the learning process
Preface in pesantren also seemed to be more accommodative, fluid, and non-radical.
These views shaped the paradigms of Islamic organisations formed and raised
in Nusantara, such as Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, Persis, and other

Director General of Culture Islamic organisations in Nusantara. These organisations were able to build a

Ministry of Education and Culture close and mutually beneficial relationship with each other without focusing on
their differences. In modern day Indonesia, the presence of Islamic organisations
of the Republic of Indonesia formed in Nusantara can be considered as an important pillar that sustains the
reality of lives in the nation-state of Indonesia.

Hence, we welcome the re-publication of this book, The History of Indonesian
Islamic Culture. This book is important not only as a point of reference on Islamic

culture in Indonesia, but also as an instrument of Indonesian diplomacy to show
the rahmatan lil ‘alamin lives of Indonesian muslim society and a view of Islam
that is peaceful and aims to protect the lives of people amidst the prevalent
radical interpretations of Islam that has distressed the rest of the world recently.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, It is our hope that the re-publication of this book will be a positive and useful
endeavour.
Islam, as one of the religious teachings practised in Nusantara, has a substantial
contribution to Indonesian culture. Initially broadcasted through the peaceful Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
medium of dakwah (sermon) which embraced local culture, Islam was soon
accepted by society as a religion that advocates peace. Throughout its Jakarta, March 2017
development, Islam has coloured and enriched the diverse cultural patterns of
Nusantara. Director General of Culture

Culturally, Islam in Indonesia has a distinctly Indonesian identity and Hilmar Farid

characteristics distinguishing it from Islamic culture found elsewhere, including
in Africa, Europe, and its place of origin in the Middle East. The practice of Islam
in Indonesia consequently shaped the Indonesian Islamic culture. This is related
to the initial entry of Islam which was peacefully accepted by locals as it was
introduced in ways that accommodated local cultural elements. Local culture
was included in practical applications of Islamic teachings, including weddings,
celebrations, commemorations of life cycles from birth to death, and daily

prayers, without abandoning the core teachings or akidah of Islam.

Islamic values subsequently entered the creative intellectual space of the
traditional education system of society. The existence of pesantren or Islamic
schools as a traditional educational institution is a process of assimilating and
adopting the educational system that has grown and existed in the pre-Islamic
age. The pre-existing education system established in the classical Hindu and
Buddhist ages continued to be used upon the entry of Islam, albeit with some

of the contents altered to align it with Islamic principles. There were significant
differences between the teaching methods of Islamic pesantren in Nusantara
and Islamic-based education of Islamic states in the Arab region, Africa, the
Persian Gulf, and Western Asia which has a predominantly Muslim population.

IV Indonesian Islamic Culture in Historical Perspectives Indonesian Islamic Culture in Historical Perspectives V