Islam, Muslim and Democracy in Indonesia

ISLAM, MUSLIM AND DEMOCRACY IN INDONESIA

For a long time people, even experts believe that Islam is incompatible to democracy. They argue that in countries where the majority are Muslims democracy cannot flourish. Although there are some elements of truth in this argument, we cannot deny that there are weaknesses in it.

The worst weakness is the failure to distinguish the term Islam and Muslim. They use these two words interchangeably whereas the meaning is different. Islam is the religion based on God’s revelation to prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that is written in the Holy Koran and the Hadith or chronicles of the prophet’s life. It is a complete set of way of life, not just a set of rituals. It is the values, the ideal. It is, therefore, an abstract concept. Muslims, on the other hand, are people who practice the concept of Islam. Thus, there is a distance between the ideals and the social reality.

One of the major theme of Islam is justice. There is an order from God for human being to create a just society where there is equal opportunity, equal treatment, equal status before the law. The prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said that all members of society including its elite must obey the law. Everyone must be under the law. If there are people who are above the law then the society will be ruined.

Other pillars of democracy are transparency and accountability. These principles are not against Islamic principles. Indonesian Muslim leaders like former President Abdurrahman Wahid aka Gus Dur and Amin Rais clearly stated that Islam is not against democracy. (Read my Hub : Islamic State according to Indonesian Muslim leaders). In short, Islam is compatible to democracy.

But in reality, Muslims are not always democratic. Look at Iraq under Saddam Hussein. Its political system is clearly dictatorship. It is not democratic. Thus it is un Islamic. Take Saudi Arabia for example. Its political system is not democratic. There is no election. So how can we say that the ruling elite is under the law ? Is it democratic ? I am afraid the answer is no. I am afraid it is not democratic. I am afraid its political system is un Islamic. Examples are abundant in the Middle east.

Now let’s take a look at Indonesia. Formally it is not an Islamic state but more than ninety percent of its population are Muslims. Over the past ten years, since the fall of Suharto in 1998, Indonesia is a democratic country. There are freedom now. The press are free, including bloggers. The public are free to express their opinion including to criticize the government without being afraid of arrest. Some people criticize the president in public and they are not arrested. The parliament is not under government control anymore.

There have been free general elections in 1999, 2004 and now in 2009. People are free to establish any kind of organization, including political parties. Consequently many political parties emerge but up to the last election in April 2009 only nine parties survive. Of the nine political parties, four are Islamic parties : Partai Persatuan Pembangunan or United Development Party (PPP), Partai Amanat Nasional (PAN) or National Mandate Party, Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (PKB) or National Awakening Party, and Partai Keadilan Sejahtera (PKS) or Justice and Welfare Party.

Interestingly, none of the above Islamic parties win the election. It was Partai Demokrat (Democratic Party) who won the election of April 2009. It is a nationalist party. In addition, the second and third rank are also nationalist party. Partai Golkar ranks second and Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan (Indonesia Democracy Party Of Struggle) ranks third in the last election. It means that most voters, even though they are Muslims, did not vote for Islamic parties. Most Muslims voted for nationalist parties. Now can we say that Muslims are not democratic ? Definitely not in Indonesian case.

The major principles of Islam, like Oneness of God, equality, mercy, justice, dialogue, are not against principles of democracy. Thus Islam is compatible to democracy. Some countries whose majority are Muslims, however, are not democratic. So there must be other factors that shape their political system. Indonesian Muslims are democratic and Indonesian political system is now democratic. US State Secretary Hillary Clinton on her visit to Indonesia in early 2009 said that if you want to see a country where Islam live side by side with democracy, come to Indonesia. There is no doubt that those are words of courtesy but I believe she is right.