Youth Narratives of Moderate Islam: Study of Islamic Philosophy For Indonesian Millennials

Abstract

This study seeks to understand the narratives of Islam that have developed among Muslim millennials in Indonesia, who have commonly been targeted for recruitment by radical groups. Youths, who are in the process of self-actualization, are easily influenced to adopt mindsets that run contrary to Pancasila—the national philosophy—when they are exposed to narratives that promote intolerance and radicalism. The Islamic experiences and narratives of Indonesian Muslim millennials will shape their activities and knowledge. This study deals with three aspects of the Islamic narratives that have emerged amongst Muslim Millennials in Indonesia: the sources of these narratives, the understandings of moderatism and ideal Muslimhood that have emerged, and the responses to moderate Islamic narratives. Using a phenomenological approach, this qualitative research finds that Islamic narratives to which millennials are exposed convey diverse messages—some radical, some liberal, and some moderate. These millennials receive these narratives from pesantren (Islamic boarding schools), teachers, prayer groups, books, and social media. Millennial Muslims in Indonesia tend to idealize moderate leaders over Salafi ones, and all support the propagation of moderate Islamic narratives.