Islam, Law and Equality in Indonesia
Book Description
In the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, millions of people navigate a complex landscape where ancient Islamic teachings, local customs, and modern ideals about equality intersect in profound ways. John Richard Bowen takes readers into the heart of this fascinating struggle, revealing how ordinary Indonesians work to honor their faith while embracing contemporary values.
Through careful observation in villages and courtrooms across Aceh Province, Sumatra, Bowen illuminates the daily challenges faced by those seeking to balance religious devotion with evolving social expectations. His research captures intimate moments of decision-making around marriage, divorce, inheritance, and land disputes, showing how communities grapple with questions that touch the very core of identity and belief.
This exploration extends beyond legal matters to examine deeper questions about coexistence and mutual respect. How do people with fundamentally different worldviews build shared communities? What happens when traditional religious frameworks encounter modern concepts of gender equality and justice? Bowen's work offers insights into these universal human challenges through the specific lens of Indonesian Muslim experience.
The book provides a thoughtful examination of how faith communities adapt and evolve while maintaining their spiritual foundations. For readers interested in understanding how religious traditions engage with contemporary social change, this study offers valuable perspectives on the ongoing work of creating inclusive societies that honor both heritage and progress.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 289 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Gleichberechtigung
- ✓ Explore Droit islamique
- ✓ Explore Islam
- ✓ Explore Legal polycentricity
- ✓ Explore Domestic relations
- ✓ Explore Kulturanthropologie
- ✓ Explore Islamic law, asia
- ✓ Explore Adat law
