Saudi-funded Salafism has gained popularity across Indonesia, potentially reinforcing patriarchy. In a country of 276 million, there is enormous heterogeneity, but four key drivers may be compounding gender inequalities:
Salafist grooms seek devout brides, who stay away from unrelated men. Madrasah-education signals female piety, and is likely rewarded in the marriage market. Urban girls are indeed more likely to attend Islamic madrasahs.
Madrasahs entrench religosity by inciting fears of Hell, while preaching gender segregation and patriarchal leadership. 20% of Indonesian school children are currently enrolled in madrasahs. This may affect personal faith and also norm perceptions (of what others approve or condemn).
Salafists believe that men should keep their distance from unrelated women. Piety is thus performed through socialising, doing business and engaging politically through exclusionary male-dominated networks. So, even as Indonesian women outpace men in tertiary education, they may remain locked out.
Conformity is further encouraged through social condemnation and bullying. Politicians can also attract more votes by institutionalising religosity, entrenching sexist prohibitions and punishments for blasphemy.
Indonesia’s cultural shifts are not just intrinsically important (as the world’s 4th most populous country), they also help us scrutinise wider theories about Islamic revival. The Muslim Brotherhood’s ascent in Egypt has been attributed to frustrated graduates’ economic anxiety. But prosperous Indonesia and Malaysia have similarly embraced Salafism. Comparative analysis reveals a global driver: Saudi-funded Salafism. In Indonesia, this appears to entrench patriarchy.
Comments and critiques by Indonesians (and others) are very welcome.