COMMENT | Why were my M'sia and Indonesia visits different?

COMMENT | I have been studying Islam and democracy for two decades as a professor in the United States. My initial research focused on the Middle East, especially Turkey, where I was born.

Since the publication of my book’s Indonesian edition, “Islam, Otoritarianisme, dan Ketertinggalan”, in 2020, I have become more interested in Islam and democracy in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia.

My book is an academic analysis of the political and socioeconomic crises facing many Muslim societies today. It analyses how Muslims had a golden age of science and economy between the eighth and eleventh centuries, and why they have crises today.

Since its publication by Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia, my book has been reviewed by dozens of Indonesian media outlets. I attended several webinars...