Islamic education and youth extremism in Indonesia

This paper explores the extent to which Islamic institutions of higher education in Indonesia have become hotbeds for religious extremists. This paper also addresses how the changing population of students studying at the State Islamic University (UIN) contributes to this development. It will also look at how changes in the curriculum at UIN have made it possible for a more conservative or radical understanding of Islam to penetrate campus life. It will also explore: how extra-curricular student organisations such as the Muslim Students Association (HMI), the Muhammadiyah Students Organisation (IMM), and the NU-affiliated Student Organisations (PMII) have responded to this development; whether these students are inspired or influenced by wider global ‘radical movements’ through easy access to the Internet; and how authorities such as the Ministry of Religion are addressing this problem.