The Politicization of Mosques for the Interest of the Statein Post-Reform Era

Abstract

This study provides comprehensive knowledge regarding the importance of excluding mosques from any political interests and explains the presence of control over mosques by the state. This qualitative study was conducted using an exploratory method and qualitative data collection technique. There are three main issues regarding state interventions in religious practices carried out in mosques. First, the state’s presence through by defining the role of mosques in the formulation of laws and regulations. Second, the state sorts the materials for sermons that are regarded deviant from the state’s interests. Third, the state include contents to support the state’s interest in sermon materials.  This research was conducted at the Ad-Dakwah Mosque in Sukabumi City which also serves as the center for religious moderation education. The mosque is used as a research analysis unit as a "counter-narrative" of the study's findings which state that mosques have been exposed to radicalization. The Alumni Family Association of the Mosque Youth Communication Board (IKA-BKPRMI) supported the Law Number 7/2017 stating that anyone who commits 'religious politicization' during political campaign can be subject to sanctions.Both in terms of the location (the mosque) and the material (abusive content, inciting, pitting one against the other, insults). On Sunday, April 22 2018, they showed their objection to the use of the mosque for political-purposes. This study proposes a new perspective regarding the politicization of mosques to support the state’s interest. Previous studies only regarded mosques as an entity that is not affected by the state.