Indonesian Moderate Islam: A Constructivist Approach to Global Perceptions

Halifa Haqqi

Authors

Halifa Haqqi International Relations, Slamet Riyadi University, Indonesia

Keywords:

Global Percepstions, Constructivist, Indonesia Foreign Policy, Moderate Islam

Abstract

This study explores the construction of Moderate Islam in Indonesia and its significance for both national identity and foreign policy. As part of its strategic positioning, Indonesia actively promotes itself as a Moderate Muslim nation to counter radicalism and extremism, aligning this narrative with its commitment to tolerance and democracy. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach within a constructivist framework, this research examines policy documents, academic studies, and governmental reports to analyze the roles of state and non-state actors—including Muhammadiyah, Nahdlatul Ulama, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—in shaping and advancing the discourse of Moderate Islam through multi-track diplomacy. The findings indicate that Moderate Islam in Indonesia is not a static or preordained identity but rather an evolving construct shaped by historical, political, and sociocultural interactions. A paradox emerges as the state’s official narratives often fail to align with social realities, particularly concerning issues of intolerance and discrimination. The instrumentalization of Moderate Islam for political purposes raises critical concerns regarding inclusivity and representation. This study contributes to constructivist international relations theory by demonstrating how religious norms influence state behavior and shape diplomatic engagement. It further argues that policy reforms are necessary to bridge the gap between diplomatic rhetoric and domestic realities, ensuring that the discourse on Moderate Islam functions not only as a strategic tool of soft power but also as an authentic reflection of societal values.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abdurrohman, A. A. (2018). The Existence of Moderate Islam from an Islamic Perspective. Rausyan Fikr : Journal of Thought and Enlightenment, 14(1), 29–41. https://doi.org/10.31000/rf.v14i1.671

Akmaliah, W. (2020). The demise of moderate Islam: New media, contestation, and reclaiming religious authorities. Indonesian Journal of Islam and Muslim Societies, 10(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijims.v10i1.1-24

Alvian, R. A., & Ardhani, I. (2023). The Politics Of Moderate Islam In Indonesi: Between International Pressure and Domestic Contestations. In Al-Jami’ah (Vol. 61, Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.14421/ajis.2023.611.19-57

Anditya, N. R. (2017). Institute of international studies universitas gadjah mada 1. IIS Brief, 6, 1–11.

Annur, C. M. (2023). Indonesia Ranked Among the Top 3 Most Affected Countries by Terrorism in the Asia-Pacific in 2023. Kata Data.

Bakry, M., Banua, A. A., Al-Rasyid, H. H., Harisah, A., Amin, A. R., Hamzah, A. A., Sahib, A. S. A. N., Hasan, H., Tebba, S., Dawing, D., Sakka, A. R., Wahab, M. R., Abbas, N., Jamaluddin, L., & Amin, M. (2017). The Construction Of Moderate Islam “Unveiling the Principles of Rationality, Humanity, and Universality in Islam.”

Basyir, K. (2020). Fighting Islamic Radicalism Through Religious Moderatism in Indonesia: An Analysis of Religious Movement. ESENSIA: Journal of Ushuluddin Sciences, 21(2), 205–220. https://doi.org/10.14421/esensia.v21i2.2313

budi hapsari, T. (2018). The History of Contemporary Indonesian Muslim Groups and Muslim Media. Afkaruna, 14(1), 101–127. https://doi.org/10.18196/aiijis.2018.0082.101-127

Dormer, R. (2017). The Impact of Constructivism on International Relations Theory: A History. Kwansei Gakuin University Social Sciences Review, 22, 51–64.

Faqihuddin, A. (2021). Islam Moderate in Indonesia. Al-Risalah, 12(1), 107–118. https://doi.org/10.34005/alrisalah.v12i1.1238

Hamdani, H. (2020). Religious Moderatism Versus Conservatism in Indonesia: Controversy of ‘Islam Nusantara’During Joko Widodo’s Administration. Tebuireng, 1(1), 17–36.

Iommi, L. G. (2022). The new constructivism in International Relations theory. International Affairs, 98(5), 1783–1784. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiac153

Khamim, M. . (2022). The Universal Values of Islam in Muhammadiyah and NU: A Portrait of Moderate Islam in Indonesia. El -Hekam, 7(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.31958/jeh.v7i1.5796

Liberati, A., Altman, D. G., Tetzlaff, J., Mulrow, C., Gøtzsche, P. C., Ioannidis, J. P. A., Clarke, M., Devereaux, P. J., Kleijnen, J., & Moher, D. (2009). The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 62(10), e1–e34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2009.06.006

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. (2018). The Face of Moderate Islam in Indonesia’s Diplomacy. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., & Altman, D. G. (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. PLoS Medicine, 6(7), e1000097. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097

Nilhakim, N. (2021). Islam, Liberal Democracy, and Secularism by Nader Hashemi in the Study of Contemporary Islamic Law. Al-Sulthaniyah, 10(1), 13–27. https://doi.org/10.37567/al-sulthaniyah.v10i1.379

Novianto, B. (2021). Islamic Moderation in Indonesia from the Perspective of Islamic Educational Civilization. Journal of Islamic Education, 5(2), 86–102.

Purwono, A., & Mas’oed, M. (2018). Moderate Islam in Indonesia’s Foreign Policy in the Reform Era. Gadjah Mada University.

Radiani, N., & Rusli, R. (1970). The Concept of Moderation in Islam Nusantara: A Study of QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 143. Semiotika-Q Journal: Studies on Quranic Sciences and Tafsir, 1(2), 116–130. https://doi.org/10.19109/jsq.v1i2.10384

Sartika, D. (2021). Moderate Islam: Between Concept and Praxis in Indonesia. Tsamratul Fikri | Journal of Islamic Studies, 14(2), 183. https://doi.org/10.36667/tf.v14i2.532

Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia. (2022, January). Vice President: World Scholars Acknowledge Indonesia’s Ability to Practice Moderate and Tolerant Islam. Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia.

Secretariat of the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia. (2022). Reflecting a Moderate and Friendly Islam Through Tolerance. Secretariat of the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia.

Thomas, J., & Harden, A. (2008). Methods for the thematic synthesis of qualitative research in systematic reviews. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 8(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-8-45

Yulianto, R. (2020). Moderate Islam in Indonesia (Muhammadiyah’s Moderation). Al-Hikmah: Journal of Religious Studies, 6(1), 67–97.

Zamimah, I. (2018). Islamic Moderatism in the Indonesian Context (A Study of M. Quraish Shihab’s Interpretation of Moderate Islam). E-Jurnal IIQ, 1(1), 75–90.

Zulfadli, Z. (2022). Variations of Islam and democracy in Muslim countries: From Islamic countries to secular Muslim countries and its relevance to the discourse of Islam and democracy. Society, Culture, and Politics, 35(2), 193–206. https://doi.org/10.20473/mkp.v35i22022.193-206