Indonesian Islam through the Eyes of the Other: The Eyes of Bosnian Islam
Mersija Maglajlic (Australian National University)
The aim of this paper is to look at the Indonesian Islam or Islam in Indonesia through the eyes of the OTHER, that is, through the case of Bosnian Islam or Islam in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Most of studies done on Islam in different countries including Indonesia have applied the comparative approach looking for similarities and differences between the two. While the comparative approach has to be applied when analyzing two or more countries with a common religion, approaching the countries as the other in their mutual relationship provides more in-depth insight into the internal and external dynamics of the different domains within which the various paradigms, structures and networks of groups, organizations or individuals operate.
The approach of the other, the author of this paper has been utilizing in her PhD research on the two countries. Based on the fieldwork that has been conducted from July 2004 and should be finalized by February 2005, it can be noted that both countries apply the concept/paradigm of unity in diversity in different ways but with the same objective – re/building a multicultural society. This means that the aforementioned concept/paradigm is used by the different organizations, movements, groups or individuals to operate and take strategically important positions within, in and around public space/life.
