Journal of Political Islam (JOPI) is an academic journal published by the Department of Political Science three times (June, September, and December). This journal emphasizes the specifications of political practice and discourse from the individual, organizations, or government regarding Islamic Studies. This journal openly accepts the contributions of experts from related disciplines. Not all published articles represent the views of journals or other institutions with links to journal publications. Title : Journal of Political Islam Editor in Chief : Dr. Moch. Mubarok Muharam, M.IP Citation Analysis : Scopus Citedness, Dimensions DOI Prefix : 10.26740/jopi Publisher : Universitas Negeri Surabaya Frequency : June, September, and December
Religion and Identity Politics: Contestation over Muslim Identity in the Democratic States of Indonesia and Malaysia
This study examines the dynamics of the relationship between religion and identity politics within democratic systems, focusing on the contestation of Muslim identity in Indonesia and Malaysia. In recent decades, religious identity has increasingly played a significant role in political processes in many democratic countries, particularly in states with large Muslim populations. Islam functions not only as a system of religious belief but also as a source of collective identity that can be mobilized in political competition. This study aims to analyze how Muslim identity is constructed, politicized, and contested within the democratic systems of Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as to identify differences in the patterns of identity politics in the two countries. The research employs a qualitative approach with a comparative method based on literature review and document analysis. Data are obtained from various academic sources, including scholarly literature, journal articles, and documents related to the dynamics of Islamic politics and identity politics in both countries. The analysis is conducted by comparing several key aspects, such as the relationship between religion and the state, the role of political actors and religious organizations, and the patterns of religious identity mobilization in political contestation. The findings indicate that Muslim identity politics in Indonesia develops within a pluralistic state framework that provides space for diverse expressions of religious identity through civil society organizations, political parties, and social movements. In contrast, in Malaysia Muslim identity is more institutionalized within the state structure, as Islam holds an official position within the political system and is closely linked to Malay ethnic identity. This comparative analysis demonstrates that the contestation of Muslim identity in democratic contexts is strongly influenced by the configuration of relations between religion and the state. The dynamics of identity politics in both countries reflect a complex process of negotiation among religion, power, and democracy in contemporary Muslim societies.
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The Phenomenon of Islamic Politics in Indonesia: Post-Islamism and the 2024 Elections
This article examines the phenomenon of Islamic politics in Indonesia through the lens of the 2024 general election. By analyzing the performance of Islamic political parties and the factors influencing their success or failure, the study aims to provide insights into the evolving role of Islam in Indonesian democracy. Drawing on theories of post-Islamism and the adaptation of Islamic movements to democratic processes, the article explores how Islamic parties have navigated the challenges of a pluralistic society and engaged with a new generation of voters. The findings suggest that while some Islamic parties have successfully increased their influence by leveraging digital media and addressing contemporary issues, others have struggled due to internal conflicts and strategic missteps. The study contributes to the understanding of Islamic politics in Southeast Asia and its implications for democratic consolidation.
The Dialectics of Religion and Politics in Indonesia’s Democratic Dynamics
This study examines the dialectical relationship between religion and politics in the dynamics of Indonesian democracy using a Systematic Literature Network Analysis (SLNA) approach. The increasing role of religion in public and political life has generated both opportunities and challenges for democratic development, particularly in a plural society such as Indonesia. The main objective of this research is to map the intellectual structure, thematic trends, and scholarly networks المتعلقة with religion and politics, while identifying dominant research themes and their interconnections. The study employs a mixed analytical approach combining systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis. Data were collected from the Scopus database using predefined keywords related to religion, politics, and democracy in Indonesia, covering publications from 2015 to 2025. After applying the PRISMA selection framework, 86 articles were included in the final analysis. The data were analyzed using performance analysis to examine publication trends and citation patterns, and scientific mapping using VOSviewer to identify co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence networks. The findings reveal that political Islam, religious mobilization, and identity politics are the most dominant themes in the literature. Religion is shown to function as both a moral framework that enhances democratic participation and a political instrument that may contribute to polarization and exclusivism. The results highlight the dialectical nature of religion and politics, where both elements continuously interact and shape each other within democratic processes. This study contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive and systematic mapping of research on religion and politics in Indonesia. The use of SLNA offers a novel perspective that integrates quantitative and qualitative insights, revealing the evolving intellectual landscape of the field. The findings have theoretical and practical implications for understanding how religion can be managed within democratic systems to promote inclusivity, stability, and social cohesion.
Sundanese Identity Politics as Embodied by Governor Dedi Mulyadi: Between Cultural Islam and Local Culture
In the contemporary digital political landscape, identity serves as a strategic tool in shaping political image and electoral loyalty. This study examines the political representation of Sundanese identity in the digital content of Dedi Mulyadi, a West Java politician known for his down-to-earth communication approach via social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. Dedi Mulyadi presents himself as a leader deeply rooted in Sundanese culture and Islamic cultural values, while constructing an emotional and inclusive narrative of leadership. This research employs a qualitative approach using content analysis and thematic analysis to trace the cultural symbols, religious expressions, and visual and verbal narratives used in his content. Stuart Hall’s theory of representation serves as the analytical framework to understand how identity is constructed symbolically and performatively in the digital space. The findings reveal that Dedi Mulyadi consistently constructs his political identity through local symbols such as traditional attire, regional language, and narratives of approachable spirituality. This approach not only reinforces his image as a leader who is close to the people but also creates a strong emotional bond with his constituents. These findings highlight that identity politics is not always exclusive or divisive but can serve as an inclusive strategy for building solidarity and legitimacy. This study makes an important contribution to the field of digital political communication and the dynamics of identity representation in Indonesian local politics.
From Religious Movement to Political Movement: The Role of Politics in The Resistance Against Colonialism
This study examines the political role of religious movements in the resistance against colonialism in Indonesia. The context is the transformation of religious movements into political movements, such as Sarekat Islam, which evolved into a political force advocating for the people’s aspirations. The purpose of this study is to trace how religious movements transformed into political tools in the struggle against colonial domination. The method used is a qualitative study with a historical approach, based on a literature review of various online sources. This study highlights the forms of political roles carried out by religious figures and organizations, such as advocating for people’s rights, forming mass organizations, and spreading nationalist ideas. The results of the study show that religious movements are not merely a moral force but also play a strategic political role. They are capable of mobilizing the masses, fostering political awareness, and challenging colonial power in an organized manner. In conclusion, religious movements played a crucial role in laying the foundations of political resistance and accelerating the emergence of national consciousness during the colonial era.
Cosmetic Islamism: The Use of Religious Attributes as Vote-Winners in Image Building Politics in the Post-Trust Era
This study examines the phenomenon of cosmetic Islamism, the use of religious symbols and attributes as tools for political image-building to gain electoral support in the post-truth era. In a climate where public opinion is more influenced by emotions and visual perceptions than by objective facts, religion is often reduced to a practical political instrument through the use of religious attire, religious narratives, and close ties with religious figures. This study employs a qualitative method with a descriptive approach through media observation, documentation, and a review of the literature on identity politics, the commodification of religion, dramaturgy, and the post-truth era. The results indicate that social media plays a significant role in reinforcing the practice of cosmetic Islamism through digital algorithms that create echo chambers and accelerate the massive dissemination of religious imagery. This phenomenon turns religious symbols into effective “vote getters” for building moral legitimacy and identity-based political loyalty. The resulting impacts include the dilution of religious meaning, increased social polarization, and a decline in the quality of democracy due to the dominance of image-based politics over idea-based politics. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the public’s political literacy so that voters can be more critical in evaluating candidates based on their track records, policy platforms, and integrity rather than merely on religious symbols.