Events

CHAIRPERSON

Assoc Prof Michael Feener, Asia Research Institute and Department of History, National University of Singapore.

ABSTRACT

Contemporary Muslim leaders, organizations and communities across the Muslim world confront major changes within diverse socio-political environments. Varying degrees of democratization, the rise of populist religious movements and the weakening of autocratic rule are just some of the circumstances that these leaders face. This seminar outlines the findings and arguments of my forthcoming book, which seeks to explore these issues through a fine-grained analysis of local Muslim leadership on the eastern Indonesian island of Lombok. While this island is a unique environment the challenges and opportunities that these Muslim religious leaders, known as Tuan Guru, face act as a powerful metaphor for their counterparts across the Muslim world.

The collapse of the 30-year authoritarian rule of President Soeharto, in early 1998, led to significant social, political and economic turmoil across Indonesia and ultimately communal and political violence. Yet, this violence had been relatively limited on Lombok, despite its severe poverty and social instability. The seminar will examine Tuan Guru’s religious and political authority through the lens of a religious network established around an Islamic boarding school, Darul Falah, in Mataram, Lombok. I will demonstrate how networks such as this are able to regulate social affairs on the island. The discussion will provide a window into contemporary Islamic leadership at the grassroots in Indonesia and, at the same time, issues that in different forms, confront Muslim leaders and their communities across the globe.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Jeremy Kingsley is a Visiting Fellow at Tembusu College, National University of Singapore. He has recently completed a two-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore. His dissertation, which is currently being finalized for publication, was entitled, “Tuan Guru, community and conflict in Lombok, Indonesia.” Jeremy has undertaken extensive field research focused on Muslim religious leadership, conflict management, militia and the interplay between state and non-state actors in Indonesia. His specific geographic emphasis is on the eastern Indonesian island of Lombok. Jeremy’s work has been published in academic and public affairs journals, including Indonesia; Sojourn: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia; Inside Indonesia and the Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law.

REGISTRATION

Admission is free. We would greatly appreciate if you RSVP Mr Jonathan Lee via email: jonathan.lee@nus.edu.sg