Abstrack:
Abdurrahman Wahid opposed any conception of a monolithic role of Islam in the form of Islamic parties which aspired to establish an Islamic state. For Wahid, Islam would best play a role in social transformation in order to support the development of democracy in Indonesia. Indeed, Wahid’s view on the interface between Islam and state has departed from the traditional paradigm of the legal formal approach and embarks on what can be called a political approach (i.e. based upon political principles). This political approach sees a role for mutual legitimacy in the relationship between Islam and state and he offers democracy as a quasi-norm which should be respected by the state as well as Muslims. It enables Muslims to participate actively in the national political system as well as reflect critically on the autocratic Soeharto regime.
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