SUPPORTING AND OPPOSING ISLAMISM: THE VIEWS OF MILLENNIAL MEMBERS OF INDONESIAN ISLAMIC ORGANIZATIONS (IIOs) AND RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS (PENGAJIAN) IN SYDNEY AND CANBERRA AUSTRALIA

Abstract

This article examines to what extent do Indonesian Muslim millennial members of Indonesian Islamic organizations (such as Nahdlatul Ulama &Muhammadiyyah) and pengajian in Australia support Islamism. It is based on two research methods, online questionnaire with 106 respondents and in-depth interview with 27 key informants consisting of 17 ustadz (religious teacher), some ketua pengajian (heads of religious gathering), and 10 millennial Muslims members of IIO and pengajian living in Sydney and Canberra. Islamism is measured by using more detailed questions relating to the support of three core elements of Islamism: (1) the implementation of Islamic (Sharia) law in Muslim majority countries and in non-Muslim majority countries; (2) support the acquisition of power for the Muslim community; (3) the restoration of the Caliphate for the sake of uniting Muslims the world over. This study found that, in line with the trend taking place in other Islamic countries, Islamism has been understood in various ways, such as radical and moderate interpretations wherein the number of those supporting both radical and moderate Islamism is greater than those criticizing and opposing it. However, this does not mean that they support jihadist violence and extremism.