PROFILE
CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF RELIGIONS AND CIVILIZATIONS
INDONESIA
BACKGROUND
With the fall of the New Order regime in 1998, there have been changes in Indonesian politics and society alike. The political landscape of Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, has been transformed almost beyond recognition. In May 1998, Indonesia still had a highly centralized authoritarian regime. From 1999 on, however, Indonesians enjoy extensive political freedoms as numerous political parties, among them Islamic, compete freely for popular support. Considerable change occurred in the Muslim communities as well. Long suppressed under authoritarian rule, Indonesian Islamic groups are now enjoying space granted them by the very democratic freedom. Needless to say, the political development in Indonesia since the Suharto’s overthrow, has been witnessing that the Islamic revival and democratization have marched hand in hand under, among others, the leadership of Muslim democrats. No less remarkable, Muslims participants in the democracy campaign dedicated themselves to devising religious arguments in support of pluralism, democracy, women’s right, and civil society.
Unfortunately, this glaring process of democratization was soon blurred by a rash of sectarian violence, so that Indonesia has been gaining much media coverage through the images of radicalized Muslims. For instance, from 1999 to 2002, battles between Christians and Muslims in Maluku took some eight thousand lives. During roughly the same period, the central highlands on the nearby island of Sulawesi saw bloody skirmishes between Muslim and Christian gangs, causing a thousand deaths. Equally alarming, in the months following Suharto’s fall, radical Islamic groups sprang up in cities across Indonesia.
While western observers and diplomats have been much concerned with the developing some radical Islamic movements, they have paid little attention for the mainstream moderate ones, as if they have lost their standing in the Indonesian Muslim community. Although these extremist groups have been very vocal and active, however, this concern is not relevant, because they are small and have very little influence. Admittedly, set against the succession of weak governments that Indonesia has had since the fall of Suharto, these groups look very menacing. The fact remains, however, they are insignificant in number and, without support from certain element in the army, they will not be able to go very far with their threats.
This phenomenon surely poses a challenge for moderate forces within Islamic communities how to empower the tolerant, democratic nature of Indonesian Islam. Rather than being pessimistic that political crisis compounded by a protracted economic crisis will lead the democratization process to fail and Indonesia will fall apart in an accelerating spiral of inter-ethnic or inter-religious violence, we adopt a positive outlook about the role of Islam in Indonesian society instead. We believe that the resurgence of Muslim politics in Indonesia will not lead to significant change in their political attitudes: a vast majority of Indonesian Muslims are personally tolerant and moderate in their outlook.
This challenge nonetheless necessitates any endeavors to strengthen the moderate, mainstream Muslim groups, as they seem to be a silent majority. Therefore, we declare this institution to exert our commitment to democracy and liberalism and demonstrate that Islamic values are consistent with democracy, pluralism, human rights, and tolerance. This surely will help determine the enduring character of Indonesian Muslims’ overall contribution to democratization and religious reform.
PSAP is a non-profit institution loosely affiliated to the second largest Islamic organization in Indonesia, Muhammadiyah, that contributes to a democratic and pluralistic Indonesian nation by serving as a vigorous hub for research, training, publication, and dialogue on critical issues of common concern to the Indonesian nation and Muslim community. Funding for the Center by far comes from numerous international agencies, with additional support provided by individuals, foundations, and the Indonesian government.
VISION and MISSION
¡ VISION
The vision of PSAP is to contribute to the development of civic culture based on religious and humanity values.
¡ MISSION
The mission of PSAP is to develop alternative, enlightening ideas to cope with problems concerning Islam and nation as well as to strengthen civil society movements in Indonesia
VALUES and WORKING PRINCIPALS
VALUES
¡ Independency
¡ Peace and Justice
¡ Freedom and Equality
WORKING PRINCIPALS
¡Originality
Accountability
¡ Neutrality
¡ Gender Equality
¡ Professionalism
¡ Innovative
¡ Integrity
STRATEGIC ISSUES
Progressive Islam
Peace Building
Good Governance
Human Rights and Justice
Pluralism and Multiculturalism
Education
Gender Equality
Socio-Economic Development
PROGRAMS
Study on Peace and Conflict Resolution
Democracy and Good Governance
Islamic Law and Civil Rights
Intercultural and Inter-religious Dialogue
Empowering of Civil Society Organizations
Islamic Education for Social Justice
Empowering of Gender Equality
MEDIA AND FACILITIES
The Journal “ TANWIR” Publication
Website
Library
Documentation
Books Publication
Newsletters, etc.
PARTNERS
National Government
Department of Environmental
Department of National Education
Department of Health
Department of Law and Human Rights
Anticorruption Commission,
Human Rights National Commission
International Donors
The Asia Foundation
UNDP
US Embassy
Partnership
DFID
AUSAID
World Bank
Local Institutions and Organizations
Muhammadiyah
Nahdlatul Ulama
JPPR
Youth Organizations
Pesantren
Maarif Institute
Wahid Institute
THE FOUNDERS
Prof. Dr. Syafi’I Ma’arif
Prof. Dr. Din Syamsuddin
Prof. Dr. Dawam Rahardjo
Prof. Dr. Munir Mulkhan
Prof. Dr. Amin Abdullah
Prof. Dr. M. Dawan Rahadjo
Prof. Dr. Bahtiar Effendy
Dr. Rizal Sukma
Dr. Sudibyo Markus
Dr. Moeslim Abdurrahman
THE GOVERNER
Prof. Dr. Din Syamsuddin
THE SUVERVISORY
Dr. Haedar Nasir
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Dr. Rizal Sukma
Prof. Dr. Bahtiar Effendi
Drs. Habib Chirzin
Drs. Hajriyanto Y. Tohari
MANAGEMENT OFFICE
Executive Director
Pramono U. Tanthowi
Program Manager
Apep Fajar K.
Research Manager
Ahmad Fuad Fanani
Publication Manager
M. Dwi Fajri
Researcher
Rizaludin Kurniawan, M.Si
Ilham Munzir
Izza Rahman Nahrowi
Sri Rahayu
Ahmad Khairul Umam
Muadz D. Fahmi
Reza Alwan Sofnidar
OFFICE ADDRESS
Jl. Salak 35 A Guntur Rt/Rw 07/01 Setiabudi Jakarta Selatan 12980
Tlp./Fax. 021 – 8294734.
Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website : psap.or.id
