The Many Faces of Conservatism

The Muslim community in Indonesia is moving in the direction of mass public piety and spirituality. Religious study sessions are not only being held in traditional ways, but are also conducted in offices and malls. The garment, cosmetics, tourism and culinary industries promoted as being Islamic enjoy dynamic growth across the nation. The most effective marketing efforts are carried out online. Yet this renewed interest in religious faith is paralleled by a surge of intolerance. The rejection of minority groups appears to be growing in the institutions most responsible for character building from an early age: schools. Democracy in Indonesia has encountered its steepest climb yet, as religious-based conservatism is growing in many aspects of daily life.