Carool Kersten Livres

Located on the eastern periphery of the historical Muslim world, as a political entity Indonesia is barely a century old. Yet with close to a quarter of a billion followers of Islam it is now the largest and most populous Muslim country in the world. As the greatest political power in Southeast Asia, and a growing player on the world scene, Indonesia presents itself as a bridge country between Asia, the wider Muslim world and the West. In this survey Carool Kersten presents the Islamisation of Indonesia from the first evidence of the acceptance of Islam by indigenous peoples in the late thirteenth century until the present day. He provides comprehensive insight into the different roles played by Islam in Indonesia throughout history, including the importance of Indian Ocean networks for connecting Indonesians with the wider Islamic world, the religion's role as a means of resistance and tool for nation building, and postcolonial attempts to forge an 'Indonesian Islam'.

The book offers an intellectual history of the contemporary Muslim world, exploring diverse themes that shape the lives of modern Muslims. It delves into various manifestations of Muslim thought, providing insights into the challenges and developments within the community today. Through this examination, it highlights the complexities of contemporary Muslim identity and the ongoing discourse that influences their experiences and perspectives.

One of the most misunderstood aspects of Islamic legal practice and thought is the role and position of fatwas or legal opinions. This three-volume reference work offers a comprehensive overview of and detailed insights into - the concept of the fatwa as a vehicle of legal opinion-making in Islam - its historical role in different parts of the Muslim world - and contemporary debates reflecting both the fatwa's enduring relevance and its ongoing contestation among Muslims today.