Indonesia is the largest Muslim county in the world and until very recently it projected the image of a moderate Islamic country, wedded to secular ideals. When Indonesia proclaimed its independence in August 1945 and debated the nature of the state in the constituent assembly, the Indonesian nationalist triumvirate — Sukarno, Hatta and Sjahrir — rejected the demand that Islam should be the basis of the new nation.
Like the Indian nationalist leaders, they opted to make Indonesia a secular state. What is more, when the Muslim fanatics under Darul Islam unleashed a violent revolt soon after independence it was put down with a heavy hand.
Unfortunately the secular image of Indonesia as a tolerant country, wedded to religious pluralism, has suffered serious damage due to violent attacks on minority religious groups. In early February this year, there were attacks on Christian churches. It was followed by attacks on followers of Ahmadiyah, a minority Islamic sect, perceived by sections of majority Sunni population to be a heretical sect. [Expressbuzz] Read more [via National Secular Society]
