Seminar Islam and Democracy in Post 2014 Indonesia

1. Joint seminar organized by KITLV, The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia and
Indonesia Nederland Society
‘Islam and democracy in post 2014 Indonesia: A comparative perspective’
Speaker: Prof. Azyumardi Azra
Discussant: Dr. Nikolaos van Dam
Chair: Prof. Jan Michiel Otto
Indonesia is a country with the largest Muslim population and at the same time the third largest democracy in the
world. Looking at the sheer geographical and demographic size of Indonesia, one might wonder on how Indonesia has
been successful in the implementation and consolidation of democracy.
There has been (still is) some scepticism among people, particularly in the West, about Islam and democracy; Islam is
perceived as being incompatible with democracy. Against all this scepticism, Indonesia has shown that Islam and
democracy can go well together.
What are the decisive elements in the Indonesian experience? What lessons can be learned?
What are its challenges?
Prof. Azyumardi Azra CBE is an historian, educator and an Islamic intellectual who advocates a moderate
interpretation of Islam. He is Professor of History and Director of Graduate School, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic
University, Jakarta, Indonesia. Previously he was Rector of this university for two terms (1998-2002, 2002-6) and
Deputy for Social Welfare at the Office of Vice-President of the Republic of Indonesia (2007-9). He has also been
international Visiting Professor at various universities around the world. He is the recipient of the 2014 Fukuoka Prize
for his contribution to the promotion of outstanding culture in the Asian region, and the enhancement of mutual
understanding and peace in the region
Dr. Nikolaos van Dam is a specialist on the Middle East who served as Ambassador of the Netherlands to Indonesia
(2005-10), Germany, Turkey, Egypt and Iraq. Van Dam studied the Arabic Language and Islam, as well as Political and
Social Sciences at the University of Amsterdam. He wrote a widely acclaimed book on Syria: The struggle for power in
Syria (2011).
Prof. Jan Michiel Otto is Professor of Law and Governance in Developing Countries and director of the Van
Vollenhoven Institute for Law, Governance, and Development. He has published extensively on various topics of law
and administration in developing countries, including Indonesia and Egypt. In recent years he has published among
others on issues of 'good governance', as well as on comparative sharia and national law in the Muslim world.
Date: Thursday 26 June 2014
Time: 15.30 h – 17.00 h
Venue: Room 019, Lipsius, Leiden University (across KITLV building), Cleveringaplaats 1, 2311 BD Leiden
If you wish to attend please register with Yayah Siegers: kitlv@kitlv.nl
Website: www.kitlv.nl
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kitlv