ABSTRACT
Introduction Indonesia is often referred to as a secular state, despite the fact that the state’s first founding principle is ‘Belief in an Almighty God,’ an intentionally ambiguous phrase originally designed to provide a platform upon which Indonesia’s religiously plural community could unite. ‘Religiously neutral state’ is perhaps a more apt interpretation of this founding principle, meaning that no single religion has the privileged status of belonging to, or being preferred by, the state. However, ‘religiously neutral’ does not accurately describe contemporary Indonesia. In fact, among the religions practiced in this multi-faith populace, Islam undeniably dominates both nation and state – it is the professed faith of approximately 88 per cent1 of the now 230 million-strong population.2 Moreover, Indonesia, like other Muslim populations, has experienced a recent resurgence of Islamic identity, which continues to shape public life and public debates about the appropriate role for Islam within it, as well as state practice and policy formulation.3
