Indonesia... Though far from Türkiye in distance, it is an Asia-Pacific country whose heart feels very close. With its natural beauty and its abundance of colorful, diverse fruits, it is like a tropical corner of paradise. It is a place where the serenity of Islam can be clearly felt. Those who have performed Hajj or umrah know that when Indonesia is mentioned, what comes to mind are always orderly, educated, courteous, and calm people. It is the homeland of our fellow believers who entered Islam willingly and were honored with Islam through the efforts of trustworthy Muslim merchants and devoted Sufi scholars. The people are devout, and the Indonesian identity and Islam are the two foundational elements of the society. In Indonesia, Islam is lived vibrantly; it is the central element of life. The people are content and patient. They are affectionate and courteous. Gratitude for goodness and a smile on their faces can always be observed. In the country, trade is largely dominated by non-Muslims. Although Indonesia is rich in natural resources and possesses strong economic potential, not all segments of society are able to benefit equally from its wealth and prosperity. A significant portion of the population lives under economically unfavorable conditions. Indonesia ranks first in the world in terms of Muslim population. Of its approximately 286 million people, 87.18% are Muslim, 9.87% are Christian, 1.69% are Hindu, and 0.72% are Buddhist. It is the world’s largest archipelagic country, consisting of 17,509 islands, both large and small, around 6,000 of which are inhabited. The main islands are: Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Bali, Lombok, Timor, and Sulawesi. After remaining under Dutch rule for 350 years, it was occupied by Japan for three and a half years during the Second World War, and subsequently declared its independence on August 17, 1945. Its land area is 1,919,443 square kilometers. Prior to the arrival of Islam, it is known that the indigenous peoples living in the Indonesian archipelago had embraced various religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism. According to the Indonesian scholar Haji Abdul Karim Amrullah, it is accepted that Islam reached Indonesia from Mecca in the first Hijri century, corresponding to the seventh century CE. Although it is stated that they were honored with Islam as early as the era of the companions, the widespread acceptance of Islam in Indonesia occurred from the 13th century onward through intertwined phases involving Sufism, trade, marriage, and the influence of local kingdoms.
Islamic Kingdoms in Indonesia
With the spread of Islam across the Indonesian archipelago during the Middle Ages, the country experienced significant political and social transformations. Through marriages within royal families, young individuals who embraced Islam began to assume influential roles in governance. During this process, Islamic law and moral values were gradually integrated into the state structure.
Eventually, numerous Islamic kingdoms emerged across various regions of the country. The Samudera Pasai Kingdom, established during the reign of Sultan Malikussaleh between the years 1267 and 1297 in the Sumatra region, is considered the first known Islamic state in the Indonesian archipelago. In the 15th century and beyond, several Islamic kingdoms were established across different regions of Indonesia. In the Sumatra region, the Indragiri Sultanate, the Jambi Kingdom, and the Aceh Darussalam Sultanate were founded. In the Java region, the Sultanates of Cirebon, the Demak Sultanate, the Banten Sultanate, Kingdom of Pajang, and the Mataram Sultanate came to power. In the Nusa Tenggara region, the Sumbawa Sultanate and the Bima Sultanate emerged; in the Maluku region, the Ternate and Tidore Sultanates; in the Sulawesi region, the Bone and Wajo Kingdoms, along with the Gowa–Tallo Kingdom; and in the Kalimantan region, the Banjar and Kutai Kingdoms were among the earliest Islamic kingdoms of Indonesia.
Mosques in Indonesia
Alongside the rise of Islamic kingdoms in Indonesia, mosque centers were constructed to symbolize the religious, cultural, and architectural integration of society. These structures served not only as places of worship but also functioned as centers for education, governance, and social interaction. The Menara Kudus Mosque, built in 956 AH / 1549 CE and reflecting a synthesis of Hindu–Javanese and Islamic elements; the Great Mosque of Banten, constructed in 1566 CE; the Demak Great Mosque, built in the late 15th century; the Katangka Mosque, built between 1603 and 1607; the Sultan Suriansyah Mosque located in the city of Martapura in the South Kalimantan region; and the Aceh Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, commissioned during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda in 1612 CE—are all examples of early Islamic architecture in Indonesia.
The Istiqlal Mosque, constructed after Indonesia’s independence, is the largest in the country. It is located in the heart of Jakarta, directly across from the Cathedral. It stands as a national expression of gratitude for the country’s freedom. The foundation of the mosque was laid on August 24, 1961, and its official opening took place on February 22, 1978. As the only official state mosque, the Istiqlal Mosque is administered directly by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia. Covering an area of approximately 95,000 square meters, it can accommodate more than 200,000 worshippers at the same time. The mosque has seven main entrance gates. It features a single minaret standing at 96.66 meters in height and a main dome with a diameter of 45 meters. These dimensions symbolize Indonesia’s date of independence in 1945. The mosque’s five levels represent the five pillars of Islam.
With approximately 800,000 mosques, Indonesia is the country with the highest number of mosques in the world. Just as there are many mosques, there are also many congregants. Prayers are performed in congregation. Religious days and nights are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Everyone possesses basic religious knowledge and is capable of leading prayer as an imam. There is no direct state administration over the mosques. The expenses related to the upkeep and sustainability of places of worship are met through donations given by the congregation. In addition to the adhans being heard five times a day, Qur’an recitations, sermons, and educational activities conducted inside the mosques are broadcast outside through the mosque’s sound system. Islamic education in Indonesia is shaped primarily through two main institutions: mosques and madrasahs/pesantrens (boarding religious schools). The education conducted in mosques is directed toward both children and adults. While mosques serve as the primary venue for Islamic education, such religious education is also carried out in open areas, homes, police stations, military units, government offices, and at times even within the presidential palace. In addition to mosques, Islamic education in Indonesia has been institutionalized through madrasahs. These institutions form the foundation of the country’s religious education. Many madrasahs also offer boarding facilities. They are officially recognized by the Indonesian government, and their graduates are eligible to continue to higher levels of education within the national education system.
Major Islamic Institutions in Indonesia
Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia:
Indonesia is a unitary state governed by a presidential system. Executive power is exercised by the president and vice president, who are elected for a five-year term. The Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Kementerian Agama Republik Indonesia) was established on January 3, 1946. In its early years, the Ministry dealt exclusively with matters related to Islam. However, over time, its responsibilities expanded to include the administration of all six officially recognized religions in Indonesia: Islam, Protestant Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU):
Meaning “Revival of the Scholars,” Nahdlatul Ulama was founded on January 31, 1926. It is stated to adhere to the path of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah. In the field of jurisprudence, it recognizes the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i, and Hanbali schools of law; however, in practice, the Shafi‘i school is predominantly followed. Nahdlatul Ulama oversees educational activities through approximately 3,000 primary schools, 26,000 madrasahs and pesantrens (boarding schools), and 274 universities. It is the most influential Islamic organization in both Indonesian society and government, with the largest number of adherents. It is claimed to have around 40 million followers, though some assert the number is even higher.
Muhammadiyah:
Muhammadiyah was founded on November 18, 1912. It is noted to have been established with the aim of purifying Islamic belief from superstitious elements. Muhammadiyah carries out its activities through the Majelis Tarjih dan Tajdid (Council for Scholarly Interpretation and Renewal), which conducts religious evaluations in accordance with the changing conditions of the times. Muhammadiyah operates 2,453 primary schools, 1,599 middle schools, 1,294 high schools, 172 universities, and 123 hospitals. It is claimed to have reached around 30 million followers, though some assert that the actual number is even higher. In addition to its educational institutions and hospitals, Muhammadiyah also maintains orphanages and commercial enterprises.
Indonesian Ulema Council (Majelis Ulama Indonesia – MUI):
The Indonesian Ulema Council was established on July 26, 1975, as an independent Islamic authority. It provides religious guidance, advice, and consultation to both the government and the public. MUI issues fatwas on matters of faith, worship, and social issues in accordance with Islamic law. It serves as a bridge between the ulema and the state, and also acts as a link between scholars and the general public.
