Shi'i Identity and Nationalism in Indonesia's Reformasi

摘要

Indonesia is home to the largest Muslim population in the world in which the Shi'i minority exists amidst the overwhelming Sunni majority. Indonesia's reformasi has paved the way for the rise of identity politics and, about Sunni-Shi'i relation, the upsurge of anti-Shi'i activism. Among anti-Shi'i activists, the rejection of Shi'ism is both religious and political. In addition to its falsity and being source of social conflict, Shi'ism has been accused as a threat to the nation and state. Shi'ism as an ideology is seen contrary and never comfortable with the state ideology of Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). So, is Shi'ism compatible with Indonesian nationalism? In a specific way, what is the Shi'i attitude toward Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, and NKRI? What are socio-political contexts and factors contributing the transformation of Shi'i identity? This paper is in general aimed at examining whether Shi'ism is compatible with Indonesian nationalism. It systematically explains socio-political context and factors contributing to the transformation of Shi'i identity and analyzes the Shi'i attitude toward Indonesian nationalism. Based on available written sources, the paper finds that Indonesia's reformation with its democratization, the moderate attitude of Islamic organizations, and the organizational stage in the internal Shi'i community are factors contributing to the transformation of Shi'i identity from resistance to project identity. The paper also uncovers that in accordance with the project identity Shi'ism is compatible with Indonesian nationalism and the Shi'is have a positive attitude toward Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, and NKRI.