INDONESIAN MOSLEM YOUTH AND THE RISE OF ASIA
By : Marlis Herni Afridah
I.
A
Brief Introduction to Indonesia
With 17,508 islands (6,000 of
which are inhabited), Indonesia
is the largest archipelago country in the world. It is bordered directly with Timor-Leste, Malaysia, and Papua
New Guinea.
Indonesia
is the fourth most populous country in the world with
approximately 238 million inhabitants. The average age of
Indonesian citizen is about 28.2 years
old. The population growth rate is about 1.1% in 2010.
Indonesia’s
political system is a presidential republic. President
is the head of state and the head of government, elected every five
years directly by the people. Institution authorized to change and set the constitution is the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), which consists of the
House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council
(DPD). The Independence from Dutch colonist
achieved on August 17 1945.
Viewed From economy outlook, Indonesia’s GDP have increased every year. It has been from agriculture (16.5%), services (37.1%) and industrial sectors (46.46%). The population under poverty line is about 13.3%. (2010).i
Viewed From economy outlook, Indonesia’s GDP have increased every year. It has been from agriculture (16.5%), services (37.1%) and industrial sectors (46.46%). The population under poverty line is about 13.3%. (2010).i
In
term or religion, there are many religions such as Islam (88%), Christian (8%), Hindu (2%), Buddha, Confucius
and Tao (1%), and some local cultes(1%).
In term of
ethnic diversity, there are more than 30 major ethnic groups, such as Indonesia
people descent of Chinese, Indian, Arab, and Melanesia. Beside these major
ethnic groups, also there are more than 500 sub-ethnic groups.
In addition
to Indonesian language which is the official language, used also
between 150 to 250 local languages or dialects like Javanese, Sundanese, Betawi, etc.[1]
between 150 to 250 local languages or dialects like Javanese, Sundanese, Betawi, etc.[1]
In term of mobile technology
Indonesia grows very fast. The number of internet users is more than 57.8
million. The number of mobile phone users
are more than 170 million. Indonesia is also the second
largest facebook users in the world after United States of America.[2]
II.
An
Overview to Indonesia Moslem Youth
Generally, Indonesia moslem youth perspective in life is as the following
list:
Ø Indonesia moslem youth are optimistic,
happy with their lives and have a positive outlook about their
future.
Ø The family
plays a major role in the personal development of Indonesia moslem youth. The
strongest influence of the family affect the moslem youth age between 15 to 19 years.
Ø Indonesia moslem youth is
keen to build their own domestic. They determine to provide a better life for their children.
Ø Indonesia moslem youth saw
their self-identity, especially as the moslem and then as a citizen of
Indonesia.
Ø More than
90% of Indonesia moslem youth said
that believing in God
is very important, and more than 60% said that being a good moslem is important.
is very important, and more than 60% said that being a good moslem is important.
Ø For Indonesia
moslem youth, religion
is the important grip as psycho-social care to guarantee the future they want
in the face of the turmoil experienced changes of Indonesian people.
Ø Only 13.5%
Indonesia moslem youth
approve of polygamy. Far more young women do not agree with polygamy than young
men.
Ø Indonesia moslem youth will
be more observant of religious rituals when there is an element of social
control.
Ø The female
of Indonesia moslem youth emphasized
their Islamic identity and be more consistent to practice
religion than the male.
Ø Nearly 90%
of Indonesia moslem youth has
a high sense of responsibility
to others but at the same time, they were concerned about self-interest.
They have the ambition to achieve their goals and shape their independent future.
to others but at the same time, they were concerned about self-interest.
They have the ambition to achieve their goals and shape their independent future.
Ø Dependence
on technology changed the lifestyles drastically among Indonesia moslem youth,
especially who lived in the cities.
Ø It is the
majority of Indonesia moslem youth to receive Indonesia’s political and economic
situation at present. More than 60% considered that Indonesia is on the right
track.
Ø More than
70% of Indonesia moslem youth believe
that the people of Indonesia have the power to replace the government that they
do not want.
Ø 49% of Indonesia
moslem youth do
not consider that religious leaders should
replace the role of the politician.
replace the role of the politician.
Ø It is the
majority of Indonesia moslem youth who have
no problem if women took over the leadership role in the community.[3]
A.
Personal Development
It is exciting development in Indonesia
that the majority of the youth, especially moslem
youth have clear view of their desires and goals.
Success is very important
to them, and they are eager to learn something new or increased
socially. They see that success in their career as important and they emphasized the need to the improvement of quality education especially in rural area. They consider that a hard worker deserves to be more affluent, they believe the importance of hard work to achieve their goals. They like to learn something new, determine to succeed in their job and being rich is important to them. It is really a big paradigm shift that affect the moslem youth in Indonesia. Islam plays an important role to their mind to gain the glory in life.
socially. They see that success in their career as important and they emphasized the need to the improvement of quality education especially in rural area. They consider that a hard worker deserves to be more affluent, they believe the importance of hard work to achieve their goals. They like to learn something new, determine to succeed in their job and being rich is important to them. It is really a big paradigm shift that affect the moslem youth in Indonesia. Islam plays an important role to their mind to gain the glory in life.
B.
Family orientation
Overall, the
most of moslem
youth in Indonesia are very interested
in building their own families. They
very interested to have some children. Their orientation towards the family is a way to get a better
life for them and those who loved.
The diagram below shows the Indonesia moslem
youth view reflected their family orientation.
If we look closer to the women
moslem youth in
Indonesia, we can see
the real fact that they want two things at once: happy family and successful
career. A survey found a large number of women who put off to have children to center
their attention on the job in their early period of marriage.
C.
Religion
When discussing religious orientation,
The Indonesia moslem youth seems to be very religious. They assess that belief to God and devout in religion
is more important than success in field
of career, marriage, friendship or enjoying
life.
Religion provides the basis and positive
energy for many Indonesia
moslem youth to achieve a successful
future. Observance of religious
rituals among moslem
youth vary according to age, gender, location
of residence, level of education and income levels. The data showed that younger moslem
would be more assert personal religious identity.
Social
control also plays an important role in religious rituals among the moslem
youth. Those who live in a certain environment with strong social control will
pray, fast and read the Qur’an more than those who live in the more spacious
social control environment. Women
moslem youth are relatively more devout
to practice Islam.
Even
many moslem youth in Indonesia seems
very religious but interestingly, concerning polygamy, a topic that widely debated, their approval is very poor.
Only 13.5%
Indonesia moslem youth
approve of polygamy. In other
hand, most of them hold a conservative belief that marriage in different
religion is forbidden.
Overall,
in many cases found that ritual practices
are not as solid as their personal identity. Some moslem
youth have very strong belief in Islam but at once do not pray five
times a day, do not fast, or do not read the Qur’an etc.
D.
Social Environment, Lifestyle and Values
Indonesia
moslim youth appear to be a generation with strong personal orientation, focusing on life they own
and how to fix it.
But the data also showed that the growth
of social responsibility increased highly among Indonesia moslem
youth. However, both cases were attempts to establish
themselves in the middle of mistrust to the uncertain social system of Indonesia.
Most of
Indonesia moslem youth said
that they felt a responsibility to the other people. They are willing to
actively help the poor, to help people with disabilities, and to be
active in activities to protect animals and the environment. Most of them said
that they are willing to organize activities for young people, they are sure that their generation should be
involved in community activities.
On
the other hand, the discovery confirms their strong orientation
to themselves. They are confident that
they can continue
their education and get a suitable job after finishing their education
. They do believe that
hard work definitely can bring them into success. Besides, they also show symptoms of fear
of the factors that could destabilize
their own.
Many
of them are very concerned about pollution, some concerned with the possibility that someone will threaten or attack them physically. They also very concerned
about the threat of terrorism. Some worried of severe disease like cancer or
AIDS.
Sometimes
they experienced of pressure because of some problems in life. Here these are
the data of the causes of pressure affect most
of Indonesia moslem
youth:
And
here these are the ways they used to solve that pressure :
The
existence of mass communication
and technology changed
Indonesian muslim youth lifestyle, especially in the way they spend their spare
time, drastically - the technology began to fill their spare time
which is before spent with the first
friends or family.
friends or family.
But even
like that, Indonesia moslem
youth have not entirely stopped doing their social
activities such as meeting friends, go to a place of
worship, go to a coffee shop or
cafe, gather with family or traveling.
Here
is the information showed how they fill their spare time :
A. Watching TV
B. Listening music / radio
C. Watching video / DVD
D. Surfing internet
E. Just do nothing
F. Reading book or magazine
G. Go to coffee shop
H. Go to party or night club
I. Playing playstation
or computer
J. Go to mall or market
K. Sport
L. Meeting people
M. Involved in community
activities
N. Involved in family
activities
O. Shopping
P. Involved in art activities
Q. Go to worship place
R. Take a walk
S. Etc
T. No answer
Their
religious culture seems when asked about their views on issues such
as drugs consumption, sex and pornography,
drinking alcohol, etc. The majority rejected all immoral
habits. In a survey held by Indonesia Survey Agency, the
result showed the more visible reflection
with religious devotion: 52.9%
did not drinking alcohol, and a similar number do
not agree with polygamy. 51.2% did not agree in drugs consumption, while 50.7% of the
respondents strongly did not
agree with having sex before marriage. 53.7% did
not agree with pornographic films,
and 54.95% strongly
did not agree with gay and lesbian behavior. But although
they did not agree
with sex before marriage, they still feel the
need to raise
awareness about sex and sex education in
schools.
Indonesia
moslem youth lifestyle vary
according to age, residence, education,
and income levels. The younger (about 15 – 19 years
old) had more stringent social
and collective bond. They are not only still
ruled by their families,
but also showed a stronger tendency to participate in social activities. They constitute the majority of moslem youth who are more willing to organize people. As a group with close social ties, they tend to vent to their friends when they are depressed. They also more often use the internet rather than the older age. Overall, they are also much more to fill their free time with activities such as most
teenagers around the world. This includes listening to music, surfing the internet, reading, playing Play Station, and exercise.
but also showed a stronger tendency to participate in social activities. They constitute the majority of moslem youth who are more willing to organize people. As a group with close social ties, they tend to vent to their friends when they are depressed. They also more often use the internet rather than the older age. Overall, they are also much more to fill their free time with activities such as most
teenagers around the world. This includes listening to music, surfing the internet, reading, playing Play Station, and exercise.
In terms of gender,
women are more likely to consume entertainment and tourism industries.
Listening to music, watch TV, reading books and surfing the internet is a way
to fill spare time that be the best interests of the women moslem youth. To
fill the time collectively, they prefer to visit centers such as malls and
markets, shopping (buy something for themselves), gathered with family, and
more involved with specific group activities. We can assume that many of the women moslem youth who
feel bored when they have spare time. That is why they be more
focus on their own domestic problems, because they are more involved in it. They also saw the public sphere as secondary side will be taken care of when they have completed the domestic duties.
focus on their own domestic problems, because they are more involved in it. They also saw the public sphere as secondary side will be taken care of when they have completed the domestic duties.
E.
Politics
The survey
resulted indication the
existence of confusion in moslem youth view about politics. They have a contradictory view
about the role of the state and its benefits. They began to question the role
of the state as a protector and
giver of prosperity for its citizens. But they still hope that the state will play its role and provide solutions in the middle of the gap they face in general.
giver of prosperity for its citizens. But they still hope that the state will play its role and provide solutions in the middle of the gap they face in general.
The data
showed a lot of Indonesia moslem youth received the political and economic situation today,
most of them figure that Indonesia
refers to the
the right direction.
the right direction.
Indonesia moslem youth view
toward politics and democracy :
In
general,
the interest of Indonesia moslem youth toward politics is
still relatively low. The number of the young who interested in politics is low. Sometimes they state that politics is boring.
still relatively low. The number of the young who interested in politics is low. Sometimes they state that politics is boring.
However,
they are more concerned about the
political process - at the level
national or international - if it was related to effort prosperity to their lives. They also positively looked to globalization, some saw globalization provides an opportunity to become more prosperous.
national or international - if it was related to effort prosperity to their lives. They also positively looked to globalization, some saw globalization provides an opportunity to become more prosperous.
They
are concerned about corruption,
terrorist attack, radical Islam and human rights
violations by the state. The
majority view the politics and politicians in a
negative behavior, although
at the same time they
embrace the ideas of democracy and the possibility to
participate in social change. They felt that participation in politics allows them
to advance the public
interest. On the positive side it
rests on the view that politics is an adventure that can accommodate the positive energy and self-image as
a youth should bring about change.
As moslem
youth in Indonesia, they felt obliged to
change the political conditions into a better direction. The majority view that
the people can replace the government that they do
not like. They also view that opposition parties as the pillars of democracy is
good. Most moslem
youth view politics as a gray area, not always good, and tend to be dirty. For
example, some express disagreement if religious leaders in place of the
politician. They expect religious leaders to be role models
moral, should not plunge into practical politics.
moral, should not plunge into practical politics.
Most
of Indonesia Moslem
women tend to favor the status quo in politics.
Slightly more women did not likely to be involved in
the movement to change the social and political conditions today compared to man although
they figure that the country
is moving to the
wrong direction and the current economic situation is a little worse.
Many Indonesia
moslem
women did not consider the importance of the existence of opposition parties in
the practice of democracy in Indonesia. But like the man,
many did not agree when religious leaders in place the politicians in Indonesia’s
governance. They also strongly disagree on the notion that women cannot
be a good leader in Indonesia. View of the status quo is especially apparent in the denial of Pancasila replacement with the Qur'an as the state basis. They believe that Pancasila has been suitable to Islam.
be a good leader in Indonesia. View of the status quo is especially apparent in the denial of Pancasila replacement with the Qur'an as the state basis. They believe that Pancasila has been suitable to Islam.
III.
The role of Indonesia Muslim Youth to The Rise of Asia
"Therefore,
since the past until now the youth are the
pillars of the resurrection. In
every revival, youth is the secret of its strength. In each fikrah, youth
is raisers banners
"
(Hasan
al-Banna)
Dr. Shakir
Ali Salim once said, the youth of Islam are the foundation of the people. Therefore,
their presence is indispensable in people's lives.
Tracing the
history of Islam, we will learn a lot how the existence of young men broke the
deadlock in the era of Islam, Prophet Ibrahim As destroying idols of Mecca with
his heroic, and brought the teachings of monotheism. Muhammad Al-fatih, in 22
years old, has become the best commander who led his best troop to destroy and
take over Constantine.
In the realm
of Indonesia's, will never escape from our minds how the role and dynamics of muslim youth. In the momentum
for independence, muslim youth was located
in the front line. Timeless in our
minds how the role of Muhammad Natsir, Sutan Syahrir and other moslem youth in Indonesia encourage the
proclaimer for yelling the independence on behalf of the nation's effort rather
than on the invader’s giving. Moslem youth in the past
contributed very much for the independence of Indonesia. They are the pillar of
Indonesia independence.
Closer we can
see a very heroic role of Indonesia moslem youth in toppling the corrupt and
tyrannical regime by carrying the banner of reform in 1998. With their
record, Indonesia moslem youth become a big potential for revival of Indonesia and Asia
extensively.
Indonesia is
among big nation in Asia which has big potential to contribute the rise of
Asia. 21st
century is believed belong to Asia. The revival of
two giants, China and India, will create
a new history of
the world especially in
economy and technology. Indonesia also contribute to the rise of Asia by its
record to be agressively waging peace. Actually, Peace and prosperity are
interwined : they are indivisible.
In this case, we
can look back to Indonesia record in
waging peace. Indonesia was the first
country which initiated to independence after World War II among the large number of Asia-Africa countries. Sukarno as the first
president of Indonesia also
visited some countries in Asia and Africa region to promote and
campaign the
enlightenment and spirit of independence. In addition, Indonesia also became
the initiator of the Asian-Africa Conference, and in the time of Cold War, Indonesia also became the
initiator of non Aligned Movement.
Those achievment are the manifestations
of a peace-loving culture of Indonesia citizen
at large, especially the moslem youth in time. This culture is still seems until now among Indonesia moslem youth. Their
love to the peace contribute the development for Indonesia. In large scale, it
raise the role of Indonesia in South East Asia, which is bring many influence
to the rise of Asia worldwide.
Peace is one of the very important
pillars supported the rise of Asia.[4]
. peace has meant economic development. Indonesia plays
an important role in this field.This is why Indonesia which plays an important
role in South East Asia is expected to be able to contribute for the rise of
Asia. In the same time, a geopolitical shift in 21st century to
the Asia pasific region. For the large part of Asia Pasific, South East Asia is
particular. Past policies, however, may not suffice to address the challenges
of the 21st century. And the 21st century challenges demand 21st century
responses: a new kind of International relations that place greater emphasis on
partnership and cooperation and on the pursuit of common security, prosperity
and stability.
Indonesia wants to be agressively waging peace. It
promotes peace through ASEAN community. As chair of ASEAN in 2011, Indonesia
has strived to ensure that the forthcoming series of ASEAN summits in Bali in
November, including the East Asia Summit (EAS), serves an important avenue to
promote such a vision. A key element in ensuring an Asia Pasific region that is
at peace, stable, and properous.
As chair of ASEAN, Indonesia set among its priorities
significant progress in all three pilars of the envisioned ASEAN Community :
political and security, economic and sosiocultural. Indonesia within ASEAN have
managed to enhance peace and security in the region particularly, and in Asia
at large.
In term of political and security, ASEAN played a key
role in the management of a border dispute between Cambodja and Thailand, a
role that gain the recognition of the international community at large,
including both the UN Security Council and International Court of Justice. It
is a good signal to the rise of Asia where the countries can through the
conflict well.
Indonesia is about to establish an Institute of Peace and
Reconciliation, which will be operated in partnership with people of ASEAN.
Indonesia achieved a breakthrought in the manajement of tensions in the South
China Sea with the adoption last July with the Foreign Ministers of China and
ASEAN member state of the Guidelines to the Declaration on a Code of Conduct in
the South China Sea. And after much delay in past years, ASEAN and the five
nuclear weapon states have made notable progress on the Protocol to the South
East Asia Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ).
In the economic sphere, to secure the welfare and well
being of the peoples of ASEAN, Indonesia has ensured the mainstreaming of small
and medium enterprisesand continue to promote sub-regional growth areas.
Indonesia also has made progress in developing a network of institutional and
phisical infrastructure for ASEAN connectivity. It has established the ASEAN
Integrated Food Security Framwork. To guard against the recurrence of a
financial crisis, ASEAN set up an ASEAN Plus Three Macro Economic Surveillance
Office.
In the socio-cultural field, there is a renewed effort to
enhance protection of migrant workers in the region. ASEAN operationalized the
ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance to save lives in the wake
of natrural disaster. Indonesia’s important role in many cases of ASEAN, for
example Indonesia’s role as a facilitator in the ongoing border issue between
Cambodja and Thailand, represents an important role of Indonesia to the rise of
Asia, because ASEAN is important and particular to the Asia. It showes
development in ASEAN’s conflict resolution capacity.
ASEAN community serves as a net contributor to global
peace and security, political development and prosperity. Indonesia through the
ASEAN community agressively waging peace which is going to contribute to the
rise of Asia.[5]
Overall, the relation between Indonesia’s endeavor for
waging peace through ASEAN which will influence to world especially Asia is
indivisible to the moslem youth community
as the majority of the people in Indonesia. Their characteristics
ilustrated indonesia’s characteristics in world affair.
As the previous quote of Hasan Al- Bana, youth is the pillar of
resurrection. They are the secret of revival strength. They are the raisers
banners.
REFERENCES
Strategic Review. Indonesian Journal of Leadership, Policy and World
Affairs. 2011
Marty M Natalegawa, Agressively
Waging Peace : ASEAN and the Asia Pasific, Jakarta, 2011
Lembaga Survey Indonesia : Survey
Pemuda Muslim di Indonesia dan Malaysia, Jakarta, 2010
Lembaga Survey Indonesia. 2011
Goethe Institute.Tata Nilai, Impian,
Cita-cita Pemuda Muslim di Asia Tenggara, Jakarta, 2010
Kishore Mahbubani. Asia Hemisfer Baru
Dunia. Jakarta: Kompas Gramedia 2011
Journal
in Women No. 60, Awas Perda Diskriminatif, Jakarta, 2008
Tedy
Kholiluddin. Kuasa Negara Atas Agama, Semarang: Rasail, 2009.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar