Jakarta, August 21st 2023. Muslim identity is expressed in various ways in Indonesia. This expression describes two forms of Islamic orientation in Indonesia, namely Cultural Islam and Political Islam. Cultural Islam is a Muslim orientation that aims to strengthen identity through freedom of worship, the use of the headscarf, Islamic education, and the promotion of Islamic themes in public spaces. Meanwhile, Political Islam is a Muslim orientation that supports Islam in power in the life of the nation and state, through support for Islamic political parties and candidates, application of Islamic law, and collective action to defend Islam.
According to Ilmi Amalia, a student of Doctorate Science Study Program, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Indonesia (UI), the study of Muslim identity expression is important considering there is debate about the extent to which Muslims can express their identity in social, political and societal contexts. Expression of identity can provide psychological well-being for individuals, but it also has the potential to cause intolerance, discrimination and conflict.
In the study of social psychology, identity expression is divided into two functions, namely identity consolidation and identity mobilization. Consolidated expressions are forms of expression that aim to strengthen identity as Muslims, such as wearing Islamic attributes; while the expression of mobilization is a form of expression that aims to change the condition of Muslims, usually related to power and politics.
The difference between the two functions is determined by the type of identification. Those who show a high tendency towards groups will have a totalist Islamic interpretation and will show expressions of consolidated identity. As for the type of identification, group glorification affects the expression of mobilization. Identification with groups that emphasize superiority will lead to forms of expression that change the status of Islam in the wider social system.
Related to this, Ilmi Amalia considers that her research has practical implications for various parties. For policy makers in government, it is necessary to realize that expressing identity is an inseparable part of identity. Expressions of consolidation and mobilization will always exist in society. Therefore, the government needs to facilitate and accommodate both forms of expression as long as they do not violate applicable legal norms.
Second, society needs to increase activity and improve the quality of contact between religious adherents so that forms of identity expression do not lead to intolerant behavior or inter-group conflicts. Forms of contact between religious groups can be realized through friendships with other religious groups.
Finally, regarding the identification of glorification, this is seen as being able to create expressions of intolerance and disrupt intergroup relations. The research results show that narratives of peace can reduce group glorification in conflict contexts. To reduce the identification of religious glorification, religious authority figures can socialize alternative narratives that encourage religious pluralism and moderation. Policy makers through the Ministry of Religion also play a role in socializing religious moderation to schools and government agencies.
Thanks to the research entitled “Expression of Muslim Identity: The Role of Types of Identification, Islamic Totalism, and Intergroup Contact as Moderator”, Ilmi Amalia earned her doctorate from the Faculty of Psychology Universitas Indonesia. The doctoral promotion session was held in the Auditorium Room, Building H, 4th Floor, Faculty of Psychology UI, Depok Campus, on Tuesday (25/7).
