Islam and Democracy in Contemporary Politics in Indonesia: Contributions and Model

The relationship of Islam with democracy emerged as a political issue that most often cause debate. In a society where religion has become a symbol of identity, the way a liberal democracy must pass through the doors of religious politics. The democratization process thus cannot be artificially separated from the discourse surrounding the normative rules of religion in government. On the other hand, democracy does not require the privatization of religion, but it requires a reinterpretation of religious ideas that are more conducive to democracy. Democracy does not always require the rejection or the privatization of religion. But clearly, they require a reinterpretation of religious ideas with respect to the basis of moral and political authority and individual rights are valid. The presence of Islamic politics, especially in public spaces is an important part of the process of reinterpretation of democratic discourse. With this reinterpretation, Islamic political groups will play an important role in the growth and consolidation of democracy. Indonesia, as a Muslim-majority country, the relationship of Islam with democratic political debate often appears in the reinterpretation of religious ideas that are more conducive to democracy. In this contex, this paper will explore contribution and model Islam and democracy in Indonesian political contemporary from New Order to Reform Order