ABSTRACT
An increased tendency of radical Islamic groups to use Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) fatawa and Islamic 'recommendations' as a source of inspiration for intolerant and violent actions has been a significant feature of Indonesian society since the fall of Soeharto in 1998. From 1975 to 2000, MUI was generally relatively successful as a moderate Muslim organisation. Although some of the fatwa and Islamic recommendations it issued discouraged religious tolerance, most of MUI membership in that era was not greatly interested in fatwa as a means to influence the public sphere. Political and social arguments used by Soeharto to justify this state of affairs included that the state required a representative of Muslim organisations that could be a partner of the ruling regime to discuss and negotiate Muslim affairs in 'national development'. The emerging independence of MUI came to the fore in the two years after the fall of Soeharto in 1998, and had important implications.
