Post-Islamism in Contemporary Muslim Politics: A Comparative Study of Indonesia, Turkey, and Malaysia

Seka Andrean; Zuliana

Authors

Seka Andrean Institut Darul Fatah Lampung, Indonesia
Zuliana Universitas Gadjah Mada

Keywords:

post-Islamism, Islamic politics, democracy, Indonesia, Turkey, Malaysia, comparative politics.

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the development of post-Islamism in contemporary Muslim politics through comparative studies in Indonesia, Turkey, and Malaysia. In recent decades, Islamic politics in various Muslim countries has undergone a transformation from an ideological orientation focused on the establishment of an Islamic state and the formalization of sharia to a politics that is more pragmatic, inclusive, and compatible with democracy. This research uses a qualitative method with a library research approach and comparative analysis. Research data were obtained from books, journal articles, official documents, and various scientific publications related to Islamic politics, democracy, and religion-state relations in the three countries. Data analysis was carried out in a descriptive-comparative manner using the theory of Post-Islamism from Asef Bayat, the theory of Political Cleavage from Lipset and Rokkan, and the Catch-All Party theory from Otto Kirchheimer. The results show that Indonesia, Turkey, and Malaysia are both undergoing a transformation towards post-Islamism, but in different forms. Indonesia shows a democratic and pluralist post-Islamism model through the strengthening of moderate Islam and inclusive politics. Turkey is witnessing a transformation from Islamism to conservatism and religious populism marked by consolidation of power. Meanwhile, Malaysia is developing a hybrid form of post-Islamism through negotiations between Islamic identity, Malay nationalism, and the realities of a multicultural society. This research offers the concept of Comparative Post-Islamic Politics, which is a condition in which Islamic parties and movements maintain Islamic identity as a source of moral legitimacy and political symbols, but their political strategies, orientations, and agendas are increasingly moving towards democratic and post-ideological pragmatism. These findings show that post-Islamism is not a uniform phenomenon, but rather a process of Islamic political transformation that is contextual and influenced by the social, political, and institutional dynamics of each country.

References

Abbott, J. P., & Gregorios-Pippas, S. (2010). Islamization in Malaysia: Processes and dynamics. Contemporary Politics, 16(2), 135–151. https://doi.org/10.1080/13569771003783851

Azra, A. (2016). Transformasi Politik Islam: Radikalisme, Khilafatisme, dan Demokrasi. Kencana.

Bayat, A. (2007). Making Islam Democratic: Social Movements and the Post-Islamist Turn. Stanford University Press.

Bayat, A. (2011). Pos-Islamisme. Lkis Pelangi Aksara.

Bayat, A. (Ed.). (2013). Post-Islamism: The Changing Faces of Political Islam. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199766062.001.0001

Fahmi, W. A. (2016). Pemikiran Pasca Islamisme dalam Konteks Gerakan Islam di Malaysia (Post-Islamism Thought in The Comtext of Islamic Movement in Malaysia). UMRAN - Journal of Islamic and Civilizational Studies, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.11113/umran2016.3n3.83

Hamzah;, A. (2020). Metode penelitian kepustakaan (library research): Kajian filosofis, teoretis, aplikasi, proses, dan hasil penelitian. Literasi Nusantara Abadi. (Malang).

Hayman, R., & Smith, E. E. (2020). Mixed Methods Research in Library and Information Science: A Methodological Review. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, 15(1), 106–125. https://doi.org/10.18438/eblip29648

Hefner, R. W. (2023). Islam and Citizenship in Indonesia (Politics in Asia). Routledge.

Liow, J. C. (2004). Political Islam in Malaysia: Problematising Discourse and Practice in the UMNO-PAS Islamisation Race. Commonwealth & Comparative Politics, 42(2), 184–205. https://doi.org/10.1080/1466204042000299224

Maula, B. S. (2023). Post-Islamism and the Rise of Sharia Laws in Contemporary Indonesia: Aspirations of Implementing Islamic Laws in a Democratic Era. International Journal of Social Science and Religion (IJSSR), 163–184. https://doi.org/10.53639/ijssr.v4i2.137

Milner, A. (2008). The Malays. Wiley-Blackwell.

Munandar, A., & Susanti, E. (2025). Politik Identitas Dalam Masyarakat Multikultural:(Studi Kasus Politik Sosial di Indonesia). Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, Sosial Dan Humaniora, 1(1), 1–14. https://ejournal.lli.or.id/index.php/JIPSH/article/view/20

Munandar, A., & Suwendi, S. (2025). Ideological Dynamics of PKS and Gelora in Indonesian Democracy. Jurnal Review Politik, 15(1), 85–104. https://jurnalfuf.uinsa.ac.id/index.php/JRP/article/view/3003

Qodir, Z. (2023). Post-Islamism And Reform Islamic Law: The Challenges And Future Of Political Islam In Indonesia. AHKAM : Jurnal Ilmu Syariah, 23(2). https://doi.org/10.15408/ajis.v23i2.31484

Roy, O. (1994). The Failure of Political Islam. Harvard University Press.

Susanti, E. (2024). The contribution of Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah in strengthening democracy in Indonesia: A study of moderate Islamic politics. ALMUSTOFA: Journal of Islamic Studies and Research, 1(01), 123–136. https://ejournal.bamala.org/index.php/almustofa/article/view/155

Yavuz, M. H. (2009). Secularism and Muslim Democracy in Turkey. Cambridge University Press.

Yilmaz, I. (2011). Beyond Post-Islamism: Transformation of Turkish Islamism Toward Civil Islam and Its Potential Influence in the Muslim World. European Journal of Economic and Political Studies, 4(1), 245–280