Indonesia’s enduring religious equilibrium is sustained by dynamic cultural mechanisms, according to Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, Rector of Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University Yogyakarta. At the Forum of Graduate School Directors of Indonesian Islamic Universities (FORDIPAS), held alongside the 5th International Conference on Islam, Law, and Society (INCOILS 2025) from 21–23 November in Yogyakarta, he explained that Indonesia’s Islamic tradition has maintained balance over centuries despite recurring tensions.
Central to this balance, Prof. Hasan emphasized, is the way Islam in Indonesia has always involved negotiation between orthodox teachings and local customs. This process, rather than doctrinal authority alone, produced a moderated Islamic expression that remains distinctive globally.
The foundation of this distinct equilibrium, he argued, lies in Islam’s peaceful diffusion in the 12th and 13th centuries. Early communities blended Islamic principles with local Hindu-Buddhist and indigenous beliefs—a syncretism widely recognized as the "smiling face of Indonesian Islam."
Prof. Hasan highlighted that subsequent historical periods—such as the rise of Islamic sultanates in Pasai, Banten, and Mataram, and later the waves of reformism in the 19th and 20th centuries—brought new forms of contestation. These shifts produced enduring debates over religious authority and identity, most clearly reflected in the Abangan–Putihan divide.
He identified Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) as stabilizing forces since the early 20th century. Their respective approaches—modernist for Muhammadiyah and tradition-rooted for NU—anchor Indonesia’s religious equilibrium by providing inclusive directions and preventing extremes.
He further pointed to the state’s role—especially through Pancasila—in managing religious diversity. However, he warned that government efforts promoting moderation must move beyond rhetoric to effective action.
He identified ecotheology as an emerging framework uniting religious and ecological concerns, and emphasized the crucial role of Islamic universities in advancing these discussions and redefining tolerance for the modern era.
Prof. Hasan concluded that Indonesia’s cultural logic inherently restores religious equilibrium, making it a key strength for navigating global changes