State-religion relations and attempts at regulation: The Indonesian draft law on inter-religious harmony

While it is generally accepted that states may regulate the activities of religious communities in the interests of social order and public harmony, how this is to be achieved is highly contested. This seminar examines the Indonesian Draft Law on Inter-religious Harmony in its social and historical context. Dr. Melissa Crouch, Postdoctoral Fellow at the International Institute of Asian Studies, Leiden, argues that the failure of this Draft Law, which has been proposed in various forms since the 1980's, suggests that there is no concensus on what or how religious activities need to be regulated. It ultimately raises the question of whether such a law is even necessary in democratic Indonesia.

Time: Thursday August 16, 10:00-12:00

Place: Meeting room 3rd floor (Just Faalands meeting room)