Southeast Asian Islam

This book explores Muslim communities in Southeast Asia, the integration of Islamic culture with diverse ethnic cultures of the region and practice of cultural and religious coexistence in various realms.The volume traces the origins and processes of adoption, transmission and adaptation of Islam by diverse ethnic communities such as the Malay, Acehnese, Javanese, Sundanese, Sulawesi, Batak, Betawi and Madurese communities, among others. It looks at the experimentations and integration of Islam within local politics, cultural networks, law, rituals, education, art and architecture which engendered unique regional Muslim identities. The book also examines distinctive examples of cultural pluralism, cosmopolitanism and syncretism that persisted in Islamic religious practices in the region due to its maritime economy and its reputation as a marketplace of goods, languages, cultures and ideas.Part of the Global Islamic Culture series that looks at integrated and indigenized Islam, this book will be of interest to students and researchers of theology and religion, Islamic studies, religious history, political Islam, cultural studies, and Southeast Asian Studies. It will also be useful to readers who are interested in world religions and cultures.