ABSTRACT
Indonesian Islam is essentially a tolerant, moderate and ‘middle way’ (ummah wasat) Islam, and differs significantly from the Islam found in the middle east. In Indonesia, Islam spread peacefully, and in forms which took account of diverse ethnic, cultural and social realities of the region. Further, the vast majority of Indonesian Muslims belong to moderate mainstream organizations such as the nahdlatul Ulama, muhammadiyah and many other regional organizations throughout the country which support modernity and democracy, and oppose the establishment of an Islamic state.
