Scholarly Works - Islamic Studies
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Item Open Access A Decade of Charitable Crowdfunding and Its Impacts on the Social Justice Trajectory of Islamic Philanthropy in Indonesia(Society for South-East Asian Studies, 2023-12-31) Bhirawa AnoragaThis article aims to investigate the development of charitable crowdfunding and its impacts on Islamic philanthropy and its social justice trajectory in Indonesia. As the largest Muslim country in the world, Indonesia has thrived and undergone some legal and programmatic revolutions to promote social justice through Islamic philanthropy. However, this study demonstrates that the rapid growth of charitable crowdfunding in the last decade has some impacts on the social justice trajectory of Islamic philanthropy, particularly in the areas of inclusivity, sustainability, and governance. This study draws from the case of Kitabisa, the largest crowdfunding platform in Indonesia, by conduct-ing interviews with the founders and users and observing their online interactions on the platform and social media. This study also collects data on Muslim philanthropic Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that actively used Kitabisa to raise funds, with special attention to Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT), one of Indonesia's largest Muslim philanthropic NGOs. This study found that the trend of crowdfunding has amplified the inclusive space in Indonesian philanthropy where Muslim NGOs actively provide social services and enact collaborations with non-Muslims. However, through crowdfunding, Muslim NGOs have become more accommodating toward short-term social programs or ‘charity’. The crowdfunding trend has also raised accountability and transparency issues in Indonesian philanthropy. This study argues that the broader involvement of grassroots actors, either individuals or informal communities, through crowdfunding explains its impacts on Indonesian Islamic philanthropy’s trajectory for social justice.Item Open Access al-Ḥarāk al-ṣūfī wa al-da’wah al-insānīyyah fī Indūnīsīyā: Ḥālah al-Ḥabīb Abī Bakr al-’Aṭṭās al-Zabīdī(Center for the Study of Islam and Society (PPIM) Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta, 2024) Syamsul Rijal; Musa Alkadzim AlhabsyiStudies on Ba'alawi preachers in Indonesia have predominantly focused on popular figures who utilize new media and popular culture in their preaching to appeal to young Muslims. However, there has been a lack of attention given to Ba'alawi preachers who avoid publicity and prioritize humanitarian activities. This article examines the case of Ḥabīb Abū Bakr al-‘Aṭṭās al-Zabīdī (popularly known as Abuya/My Father by his followers), who has garnered a significant following across several Indonesian provinces. His followers regard him as a generous, peace-oriented Sufi who not only advocates for spreading peace and kindness but also embodies these values through humanitarian acts towards those in need, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. This article explores his mobility in business and da'wah across Indonesia and analyzes the methods he uses to distribute charities and empower Muslim communities. The case of Habib Abubakar demonstrates that Sufism transcends mere individual asceticism and detachment from worldly possessions; rather, its spiritual essence is manifested through active involvement in social and humanitarian affairs.Item Open Access Between salafi and sufi : ibn taimiyyah’s critique of al-qusyairi’s views on sufism(University of Darussalam Gontor, 2023-11-28) Hamdan Maghribi; Alfina HidayahThis article discusses two sects that are often contrasted: Salafi and Sūfī. It focuses on the views of Ibn Taimiyyah al-Harrānī as a representative of Salafi and ‘Abd al-Karīm al-Qusyairī of Sūfī-sunnī on Sufism. By analyzing the works of Ibn Taimiyyah and al-Qusyairī on Sufism, this article explores Ibn Taimiyah’s critical notes on al-Qusyairi's views on Sufism. Ibn Taimiyyah wrote no less than thirty-eight treatises on Sufism and cited more than forty Sūfī texts in explaining and analyzing his views on Sufism. Al-Qusyairī, on the other hand, describes in detail the Sūfī figures and their views in his Risālah. He also included his Sufistic analyses in Laṭāif al-Ishārāt. Using an interpretative approach and content analysis, this article finds that Ibn Taimiyyah did not reject Sufism. He rejected the practice of Sufism that he thought was not intertwined with the Qur’ān and Sunnah. This is evident from his respect for al-Qusyairī, whom he called al-Syaikh al-Ustāż, and Mutaṣawwifah Ahl al-Kalām, a term of honor within the Ṣūfī order. Nonetheless, Ibn Taimiyyah notes that al-Qusyairī’s quotations in his work are not followed by references and explanations. In explaining the practice of zuhd, al-Qusyairī did not provide examples from the ṣahābah and tābi’īn to strengthen his argument.Item Open Access Child exploitation by parents in early marriage : case study in Cianjur West java, Indonesia(Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry, 2023-11-30) Yayan Sopyan; Zezen Zainal Muttaqin; Cucu Solihat; Jaenal AripinParents should protect their children. Child exploitation by parents is a cruel act. One form of parental deprivation of children’s rights is to marry them at an early age. In Indonesia, the rate of early marriage is still above 10% of all marriages. There is a trend of early marriage with Arab men in tourist destinations such as Puncak-Cianjur, West Java, after the increasing number of tourist visits from the Middle East. This research used a qualitative research method with a phenomenological approach to explore informant' experiences, interpret their experiences, and give meaning to their experiences. Data were collected through observation and in-depth interviews using the Snow Bowling Effect method. The results of the research were analyzed using the framework method. This research found that parents determine the occurrence of early marriage. The drivers of early marriage are economic interests and religious dogma. Parents were influenced by biyong (marriage broker) in making decisions. Biyong took advantage of half of the dowry. Meanwhile, children’s consent to marry was influenced by religious doctrines that caused them to be altruistic and follow their parents' wishes. This research recommends the government be stricter in supervising foreign tourists and socializing the dangers of early marriage and mutáh marriage with foreigners.Item Open Access Crowdfunding for inter-faith peace : youth, networked social movement, and muslim philanthropy NGOs in contemporary Indonesia(State Institute of IslAccepted Manuscriptic Studies (IAIN) Salatiga, 2023) Bhirawa AnoragaThis study exAccepted Manuscriptines the involvement of Indonesian youth and Muslimphilanthropy NGOs in the promotion of inter-faith harmony throughcrowdfunding. Crowdfunding or online fundraising has been rapidly growing inIndonesia. It has been used to respond to various issues, Accepted Manuscriptong which is religiousviolence. Oftentimes, when radical acts happened in Indonesia, people turnedto crowdfunding to express inter-faith solidarity and support. This study drawsfrom the concept of networked social movement to explain the characteristicsof crowdfunding cAccepted Manuscriptpaigns for inter-faith harmony. This concept highlightscontemporary online movements that are spontaneous, leaderless, and temporalin nature which is distinct from the well-organized movements commonly studiedby scholars. This study employs digital ethnography on cAccepted Manuscriptpaigns that respondedto religious violence in the largest crowdfunding platform in Indonesia, Kitabisa,which is complemented by interviews with the cAccepted Manuscriptpaign initiators and Muslimphilanthropy NGOs. This article argues that the characteristics of network social movement fit with the current youth generation that is assumed to be sociallyapathetic and more immersed in developing themselves and consuming media.Nevertheless, despite the spontaneous and temporal tenets, the youth’s inter-faithmovements were able to mobilize a significant number of donations and attractMuslim NGOs that were often perceived to be sectarian to support the inter-faithcAccepted Manuscriptpaigns. The findings of this study contribute to the studies on Indonesianyouth, IslAccepted Manuscriptic philanthropy, and the state of inter-faith relations in Indonesia,which was argued to be experiencing a conservative turn.Item Open Access Defending traditional islam in Indonesia : the resurgence of hadhrami preachers, by Syamsul Rijal(Brill, 2024-04-07) Egi Tanadi TaufikIn Defending Traditional Islam in Indonesia, Syamsul Rijal explores the dynamics of the Hadhrami Arabs and their growing popularity among young urban Muslims in contemporary Indonesia. His fieldwork was located in six cities in Indonesia, five of which are in Java, and mainly focused on Jakarta (p. 14). The book consists of seven chapters that emphasize the internal dynamics within the diasporic community, their ideological fragmentation, and their contestation with other religious individuals and groups.Item Open Access Enealogy of wasaṭiyya within Indonesian society : the influence of sufism in Indonesian archipelago(IAIN Ponorogo, 2023-11-22) Musa AlkadzimThis article examines the genealogy of wasaá¹iyya Islam in Indonesia. Historical processes of Islamization in the pre-Indonesia context have influenced how the Muslim majority of Indonesia demonstrates its moderate expression from historical periods to contemporary situations. The establishment of the Indonesian state has the heredity derivation from the past Islamization. The role of Sufism in the processes of Islamization is addressed here. Ash’arism or Aswaja paved the theological way for wasaá¹iyya by choosing a position of moderation between rationalist and conservative extremist schools of thought. On a deeper level, this article concludes that the Sufi foundations of the early Islamization period are essential for establishing wasaá¹iyya in Indonesia. When Pancasila, as the nation-state philosophy, incorporates cultural elements acknowledged by Muslim Ulama, it is evident that any attempt to undermine or pervert wasaá¹iyya Islam in Indonesia will finally fail. This research applied qualitative methodology with an exploratory research design. The data were collected using literature studies from books, journals, and related articles.Item Open Access Forced marriage and sex trafficking under the guise of nikah siri in Indonesia(Center for the Study of Islam and Society (PPIM) Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta, 2024) Zezen Zaenal Mutaqin; Yayan SopyanProstitution, forced marriage, and sex trafficking have long been practiced in the Puncak area of West Java, Indonesia. The practice is condoned not only by the surrounding community but also by state officials. This paper resulted from our field research, interviews, and observation in the Puncak area. In addition, it includes an extensive literature review, which encompasses the study of Indonesian and international law regulation, academic writing, and media reports. This paper seeks to uncover the reasons why the practices of sex trafficking and forced marriage are tolerated and what has led to this approval. By dwelling on legal, historical, and anthropological studies, this paper argues that the practices are tolerated because they hide behind a thick veil of cultural-religious justification and are obscured by legal tricks/stratagems, which we call 'trafficking framing.' This framing conceals and camouflages sex trafficking and forced marriage under accepted legal-cultural practices. This paper seeks to uncover the veil of trafficking framing and reveal that the practice of secret marriage (nikah siri) in Puncak is nothing but sex trafficking.Item Open Access Fragmentation of Dakwah Media: Exploring Exclusive Islam in Indonesia Post-Reform Popular Islamic Novels(Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Mataram, 2023-06-29) Muhamad Taufik Kustiawan; Mhd. Rasidin; Doli Witro; Darti Busni; Mufti Labib JalaluddinThis article aims to highlight Islamic exclusivism in the form of popular Islamic novelS for children’s reading books in Indonesia after the reform of 1998. Building on the media theory of Gill Branston and Roy Stafford, this study explains Islamic pop novels as Islamic educational materials from a semiotic approach, structuralism, and critical discourse analysis. In particular, this study uses qualitative research methods by descriptively analyzing the reading of Islamic pop novels spreading in the Qur’anic Education Centre in Central Java. The results showed that since the Reformation, the movement used books, newsletters, magazines, and children’s readings of Islamic pop novels to shape the religious thoughts of urban Muslim children and youth in Indonesia. There is hardly a story related to diversity, the value of tolerance, and mutual respect between religious people in those materials. The awareness of religious comprehension in children's reading seems exclusive. It must be realized by various parties that the media utilizing Islamic literature is very influential on the growth and development of children's religious thinking in the educational space in the metropolis.Item Open Access From fatwa to social media : unleashing global muslim solidarity through fatwa and digital activism movement(Jurusan Komunikasi Penyiaran Islam, Fakultas Dakwah dan Komunikasi, Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang, 2024-06-30) Muhammad Fahmi Reksa Alfarisi; Ahmad Nashikhul Huda; Almeyda AsharsyiraThe Israel-Palestine war has brought an enormous amount of attention to religious tension, global solidarity, and humanitarian movement in the Muslim world. This study investigates the underlying factor behind the fatwa issuance and its impact on the new trend of global solidarity in the digital sphere. The theory of mediation of meaning and new media by Hoover has been used to navigate the Fatwa of the Indonesian Ulama Council. This fatwa, regarding boycotts, divestments, sanctions movement, and the spread of Julid Fisabilillah digital activism, is a significant factor in shaping global Muslim solidarity. The digital activism is conducted by Indonesian and Malaysian netizens on specific social media platforms such as X, Instagram, and Telegram. This paper aims to contribute to the promotion of solidarity, compassion, and moral principles as fundamental aspects of humaneness. The research methods involved using a desk research methodology to collect data by analyzing scientific papers, digital media such as news, social media platforms, and literature reviews. The results indicated that this new trend of movements served as a means of expressing concern and advocating for humanity's values. It also aimed to create social justice and beneficial impact through humanitarian aid and establish emotional and moral connections to the Palestinian cause. Subsequently, the elements of religious tension, intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity, have intertwined roles in influencing this situation.Item Open Access From Villain to Hero : The Role of Disengaged Terrorists in Social Reintegration Initiatives(Cogitatio Press, 2024-05-09) Haula NoorConvicted terrorists released from prison often experience social stigma, exclusion, and difficulties reintegrating into society. Authorities have identified the utility of using formerly convicted and released terrorists or disengaged terrorists as an intermediary to help and support terrorist inmates as they go through social reintegration processes. This article explores their role as an intermediary who advocates for fair treatment and rights for their fellow ex-inmates, assisting families and helping them undergo the reintegration process. This research involved interviews with members of three foundations: Yayasan Persadani, Hubbul Wathon Indonesia 19, and DeBintal. By analysing the narrative of the participants, this study found that social reintegration efforts led by disengaged terrorists fostered a sense of social belonging and connectedness among ex-inmates. In addition, these foundations offer valuable assistance to terrorist inmates while ensuring community safety. They serve as a reliable support system during times of need and act as a communication bridge between them and the government. This framework positions these foundations as integral components in addressing concerns about the effectiveness of government-led integration initiatives. The approach adopted by these foundations has positive effects on preventing the re-engagement of released inmates with extremist networks. Despite the need to measure the effectiveness of these initiatives comprehensively, efforts made by these foundations provide potential for societal resilience against terrorism.Item Open Access Gus Yahya and the NU’s new path : note on the 34th congress(Pusat Pengkajian Islam dan Masyarakat (PPIM) Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, 2022) Zezen Zaenal MutaqinThe 34th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress in Lampung was organized in an unusual situation. It was the first kind of NU congress organized in the era of a global pandemic. The date of congress itself was a subject of controversy and debated by competing candidates due to the lockdown, a standard measure taken by the government to control the spread of the Covid-19 virus. There was even an idea to postpone the congress altogether and asked K.H. Said Aqil Siradj, the incumbent leader, to stay indefinitely until the situation is back to normal. However, after a tussle and negotiation, finally, all factions agreed that the congress would be organized at the initial date planned by the Central Board of NU (Pengurus Besar Nahdlatul Ulama, PBNU), which was at the end of December (22-23 December 2021). At that time, the case of Covid-19 was relatively low, and the gap was perfect for a congress.Item Open Access Intertwining beauty and piety : cosmetics, beauty treatments, and ḥalāl lifestyle in urban Indonesia(Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Mataram, 2023-06-12) Yanwar Pribadi; Muhammad Adlin SilaThis article discusses the intertwinement of beauty and piety among middle-class Muslim women in urban Indonesia through the use of cosmetics and beauty treatments within the broader trends of ḥalāl lifestyle. It uses an anthropological approach with case studies in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, and Serang, the capital city of Banten Province. Jakarta and Serang were chosen because Jakarta is a picture-perfect example of an older area characterized by the abundance of middle-class Muslims and the vehemence of ḥalāl lifestyle, while Serang represents a newer area in this regard. Moreover, this article explores the understanding and practices of religious rituals, as well as the responses of urban middle-class Muslim women towards commodified goods and services, consumerism behavior, and communal piety. We argue that the use of cosmetics and beauty treatments has become one of the most glaring public expressions that has concurrently influenced the way urban middle-class Muslim women perceive themselves, beauty, and piety. In addition, we contend that the understanding and practices of beauty and piety are becoming increasingly complex in urban areas. Finally, we maintain that ḥalāl lifestyle has played an important role in strengthening Islamic identity in contemporary Indonesia.Item Open Access Islamic leadership contestation : exploring the practices of conservative islamic movements in Indonesia(Center for Research and Community Service (LP2M) in cooperation with the Postgraduate Program of UIN Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh, 2023-08) Muhamad Taufik Kustiawan; Mhd. Rasidin; Doli Witro; Darti Busni; Mufti Labib JalaluddinThis paper describes the political contestation in the election of leaders that has occurred in the last five years in Indonesia. Since the reformation era, conservative Islamic movements have gained wide freedom to spread Islamic political ideology such as the idea of upholding Islamic law. This was clearly seen in the 2017 Jakarta Gubernatorial Election and 2019 Presidential Election, where the conservative Islamic movement voiced practical political aspirations by involving the role of religion. The case that happened to Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) who was suspected of committing blasphemy at the end of 2016, turned into a protest movement that held “Aksi Bela Islam I, II, III” (Action for Defending Islam I, II, III) which was able to mobilize all elements of religious organizations in Indonesia. This movement is also supported by the role of social media which adds to the massive Islamic populism movement to promote the enforcement of Islamic law through the political stage. This is a qualitative research that prioritizes bibliographic sources. The results of this study indicate that the voices of Muslims who are involved in the “Action to Defend Islam” add to the success of the conservatism process which has a dichotomy of political interests to realize religious authoritarianism by using the Qur’anic verses. However, this study also explains the characteristics of the attitudes of leaders in the history of Islamic civilization who uphold egalitarianism that does not conflict with the democratic system because the responsibility of a leader is to create prosperity and justice for all mankind.Item Open Access Islamic traditional education : a comparative perspectives from Nigeria's makarantar allo to Indonesia's pesantren(Al-Hayat Al-Istiqomah Foundation, 2024-04-05) Nasir, Muhammad MuhammadThis study examines the historical evolution of Makarantar Allo in northern Nigeria and Pesantren in Indonesia, comparing their structures and operations across colonial, post-colonial, and contemporary periods. The focus on these institutions is driven by their similarities and the potential application of Indonesia's Islamic educational standards to enhance Nigeria's existing system. Incorporating a mixed-methods approach, this study collected primary data through interviews, focus group discussions and participant observations in Indonesia while engaging in the Makarantar Allo setting in Nigeria. Secondary data, consisting of historical facts, were gathered through document analysis. The analysis involved qualitative methods, verified through triangulation and cross-referencing with historical records. The research provides insights into the efficacy of Islamic education in Indonesia and Nigeria, highlighting differences and similarities. Pesantren in Indonesia operates centrally regulated, while Nigeria's Makarantar Allo is decentralized and unfunded. The comparative analysis suggests potential lessons for Nigeria's policymakers to improve the structure of Makarantar Allo based on the centralized Indonesian model, offering valuable standards for similar institutions with similar objectives in other Muslim countries. This research addresses a gap in the existing literature by comparing two traditional institutes, Makarantar Allo and Pesantren. The study explores their evolution, analysing their histories, curricula, teaching methods, structures, and challenges. This comparative pattern contributes to the novelty of the research, providing valuable insights into the unique characteristics and shared aspects of these traditional Islamic education systems.Item Open Access Matn criticism in Indonesia : reanalyzing Ali Mustafa Yaqub's contributions to ḥadith studies(IIUM Press, 2024-08-31) Shofiatul Jannah; Akhmad Mughzi AbdillahThis article aims to discuss the role and contribution of Ali Mustafa Yaqub's ḥadīth criticism in Indonesia as an effort to maintain the Islamic literary tradition (turāth). In response to the contemporary trend of ignoring or even avoiding ḥadīth criticism, Yaqub, as an Indonesian ḥadīth expert, paid great attention to this issue to ensure that hadīth is used as proof (ḥujjah) of Islamic teachings. By employing a descriptive method to analyze Yaqub's works on matn criticism, this article concludes that Yaqub has provided significant theoretical foundations and practical insights into understanding ḥadīth. His notable contributions to advancing ḥadīth studies while upholding classical turāth as a cornerstone in Islamic scholarship amidst the challenges of globalisation establish him as a distinguished and influential figure in the field of ḥadīth studies in Indonesia. His work enriches the academic discourse and ensures the continued relevance of traditional ḥadīth scholarship in contemporary contexts.Item Open Access More than a tafsir : convergence, contestation, and deradicalization of quranic interpretations on website(Lajnah Pentahihan Mushaf Al-Qur'an, Badan Litbang dan Diklat Kementerian Agama Republik Indonesia, 2023-12-29) Muhammad Rosyid; Bhirawa AnoragaSocial media has opened space for practically anyone to interpret the Qur’an, thus the contestation of tafsir cannot be avoided. The term e-tafsir in this article refers to the Quranic interpretations that appear in the digital space through new media (both website and social media). This study employs a digital ethnography method by investigating and observing various websites related to the Quranic interpretations. It focuses on popular Islamic websites such as tafsiralquran.id, ibtimes.id, and buletinkaffah.com, which regularly uploaded Islamic articles between 2020 and 2023. The research argues that social media has resulted in the proliferation of e-tafsir, including conservative (textualist) interpretations of the Qur’an. Furthermore, the author contends that to reduce radicalism in Indonesia, it is not enough to block conservative websites; it should be countered by spreading moderate Quranic interpretations. This article unveils the contestation of e-tafsir in Indonesia, which may also occur in other digitalizing Muslim worlds.Item Open Access Muslim politics : political model of Islamic law in adat societies(Fakultas Syari'ah dan Hukum, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kalijaga, 2023-12-20) Rifqi Nurdiansyah; Doli WitroThis research aims to analyze the political model of Islamic law within the indigenous community of Kerinci. The idea behind this research is the triumph of the Islamic party in the local, governor, and presidential elections in Kerinci, Jambi Province, between 2009 and 2019. Gradually, Islam acquired substantial political influence inside the customary domain of Kerinci. The study employs a combination of socio-historical and qualitative research. The data is examined utilizing Miriam Budiardjo’s political law approach, encompassing classical, behavioral, post-behavioral, dependence, neo-Marxist, rational choice, and new institutionalism approaches. Our research indicates that the implementation of Political Islamic Law in Kerinci is an integral component of the Islamic Populism movement, which has gained momentum and become deeply rooted in the political conduct of the local Muslim community. These cultural habits originate from the fundamental principles of society, which have emerged as a result of the assimilation of Islamic teachings into daily life. These individuals are involved in the decision-making processes of Adat Institution and Majelis Pengkajian Ulama’ (MPU). These individuals inherently endorse Islamic parties such as PAN (National Mandate Party) and PKS (Prosperous Justice Party). Adat institutions play a significant role in local elections by offering guidance through sectoral delegates in every adat region.Item Open Access Muslim women entrepreneurs : an exploratory study of the nigerian ‘mumpreneurs’ perspective(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2024-07-30) Nasir, Muhammad Muhammad; Shamim, SaemahPurpose – This paper explores the motivations and challenges faced by Muslim women ‘mumpreneurs,’ in Northern Nigeria, a region with a predominantly Muslim population. The unique socio-religious and cultural context of Northern Nigeria serves as a key driver for this research, prompting a deeper understanding of the experiences of Muslim mumpreneurs in the area. Design/methodology/approach – The study employed a qualitative approach, by utilizing semi-structured interviews with 12 Muslim mumpreneurs residing in various states across Northern Nigeria. Accordingly, thematic analysis was used to explore the influence of their motherly roles on their entrepreneurial experiences. Findings – Thematic analysis revealed three key themes: Motivations: Mumpreneurs were driven by desires for financial independence, positive societal impact and increased flexibility to manage work-family balance. Challenges: Lack of capital, skills, knowledge and sociocultural constraints (e.g. gender norms) impeded their progress. Push and pull factors: Their entrepreneurial journeys were shaped by both internal aspirations and external societal influences. Originality/value – The findings of this study provide further understanding of the distinct experiences of Muslim mumpreneurs in Northern Nigeria, contributing significantly to our knowledge of the dynamics of Muslim women mumpreneurs in a specific, understudied Muslim society. By implication, it highlights the need for targeted support for this under-researched population, informing policymakers, support organizations, and future research endeavors.Item Embargo Port security and preman organizations in Indonesia(Taylor and Francis, 2024-10-09) Yanwar PribadiStrongmen have long been widely associated with bandits, violent entrepreneurs or revolutionaries. Such strongmen should be differentiated from the strongmen of politics. The latter are defined as political leaders who rule by repression and exercise an authoritarian administration, while the former are defined as gangsters who benefit from local insecurities to obtain an occupation, build their reputation and accumulate social and political influence when they become involved in politics. In the case of Indonesia, there have already been several significant works on these stereotypically sturdy and muscular people, who have been represented as bandits (Suhartono Citation1995), village leaders (Onghokham Citation1978), rebels (Cribb Citation1991), local heroes, powerbrokers and criminals (Schulte Nordholt Citation1991). Preman, Indonesian contemporary free men (Dutch: vrije mannen), stand in between a blurred line of strongmen and violent groups. Preman (thug) was originally used to refer to irregular or demobilized soldiers; later, the term came to mean bandit and then gangster.