Yogyakarta, September 24, 2025 – The launch of the latest book by Professor Emeritus Mitsuo Nakamura at the Graduate School of UIN Sunan Kalijaga transcended a mere publishing celebration. The event transformed into a profound forum for reflecting on Islamic studies methodology and the identity of Muslim Nusantara. Reviewers, including Prof. Siti Syamsiatun, Prof. Mahasin, and Prof. Nur Ikhwan, universally agreed that Nakamura's work serves as a prime model of honest, comprehensive Islamic scholarship that decisively rejects simplistic Western paradigms.

The Integrity of Scholarship: Overthrowing Secularization Theory

Professor Nakamura, who has dedicated over 52 years to observing Islam in Indonesia, was lauded for his integrity and meticulousness. He has successfully challenged the dominant Western academic narratives:

• Rejecting the Externalist Approach: Prof. Nur Ikhwan highlighted Nakamura's critique of the social sciences' tendency to study only the "external accessories" (symbols and institutions) of religion, failing to grasp the "personal living faith" held by its adherents. Nakamura asserts that for the Muslim community to be truly understood, Muslim Anthropology must evolve into Islamic Anthropology.
• Contesting Secularization Theory: Prof. Nakamura himself underscored the failure of the Western Secularization Theory, which predicted the diminishing role of religion amid modernization. The reality observed in Kota Gede—where pengajian (religious study groups) flourished in the 1970s—demonstrates that material progress cannot supplant the existence of religion.

Grand and Little Traditions: Forging an Independent Malay Islamic Identity

Nakamura’s greatest contribution, as elucidated by Prof. Mahasin, is his definitive recognition of Islam in Indonesia as the Malay Islamic Civilization (Peradaban Islam Melayu).

• The Nusantara Soul: Islam here is not a mere copy, but a fusion of the Grand Tradition (universal Islamic norms) and the Little Tradition (local practices), producing a distinct "special local flavor" unique to Indonesia.
• A Call for Cultural Self-Reliance: The book's reflection spurs intellectual independence. Prof. Mahasin emphasized the necessity of implementing the principle, “Arab digarap, Londo digowo” (Arab is processed, the West is utilized). This is a call for self-confidence: Indonesian Muslims need neither blindly imitate the Arab world to be pious nor mindlessly copy the West to be modern.

The "Japanese Londo": Personal Impact and Institutional Catalyst

Prof. Siti Syamsiatun shared personal, humanistic testimonies. The presence of the Nakamura family in Kota Gede, colloquially dubbed “Londo Jepang” (Japanese foreigner), became a powerful social inspiration:

• A Lifestyle Model: The Nakamura family's clean, tidy, and orderly lifestyle—exemplified by their youngest son Jiro winning the local Aisyiyah Healthy Baby contest—served as a practical model for the community.
• Institutional Shift: Nakamura’s constructive feedback directly inspired Aisyiyah to create measurable indicators for its goals (e.g., the seven characters of the progressive Muslim woman). His recognition that Aisyiyah was often under-researched also spurred the launch of the International Research on Aisyiyah Studies initiative.

Lessons for the Next Generation of Scholars

The book launch concluded with crucial methodological advice for the next generation of researchers. The essence: scholarship requires more than just theory; it demands integrity and profound fieldwork.

• Integrity and Ethics: Researchers must be honest, meticulous, and non-judgemental, offering advice only when requested.
• Comprehensive Method: They must employ in-depth ethnography (participant observation), supplemented by an exploration of local historical documents to gain a complete, long-term perspective on social change.
• The Personal Nexus: The most vital transformation for any scholar is moving from a mere observer to becoming "part of the family" of the subject, yielding invaluable insights.

Prof. Mitsuo Nakamura’s book is a significant reminder that authentic Islamic scholarship must be bold enough to reject ready-made theories, be firmly rooted in field realities, and seamlessly blend the universal with the local. It is an essential read for the academic environment of Islam in Indonesia. (humassk)