Religion in Indonesia
Religion in Indonesia holds the major part of life in Indonesia, as being the foundation of the culture, including food and society, as well as the way the Indonesian citizens point of views. The majority of the citizens are Muslim, with more than 88 percent of all Indonesians, which takes up about 210 million people, 5.87 percent Protestant, 3.05 percent Catholic, 1.81 percent Hindu, 0.84 percent Buddhist, and 0.2 percent "others", including traditional indigenous religions.
The Indonesian Constitution of 1945 declares that Indonesia is based upon "belief in One, Supreme God" which gives the Indonesian citizens the rights to choose any religion that person belief. However, the government only recognises five major religions, which are Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism and Buddhism.[1]
Religions
Islam
Although Islam originated in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia is the most Muslims populated country, with 88 percent of all citizens.[2] However, although the country is the most populous Muslim-majority nation in the world, there are patterns in which show that the Muslim citizens live in certain parts of Indonesia. For instance, the island of Java and Sumatra, with many islands in the east region of Indonesia, are the islands with most Muslim citizens.[3] Moreover, in some provinces, such as Aceh and East Java, Islam is the most practiced religion.[3]
The history of Islam in Indonesia is very complex and reflects its richness of cultures. Back in the 12th century, many traders from India arrived on the island of Sumatra, Java and Kalimantan. From this point, these traders, which mostly were Muslims, started to spread the religion on the islands during the 12th century and 15th century. However, in that century, most Indonesian regions, including the eastern regions, were ruled by the Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms. For example, Majapahit and Sriwijaya. As a result, the citizens of the kingdoms started to practice Islam, while some others (Hindus and Buddhists), moved to the island of Bali, which recognised Hinduism as its major religion.
Protestantism
Catholicism
Hinduism
Buddhism
See also
References
- International Coalition for Religious Freedom. (2004). "Indonesia". "Religious Freedom World Report". Retrieved September 6, 2006
- US Library of Congress. "Islam". "Country Studies". Retrieved September 6, 2006
Notes
- ^ Religious Freedom World Report - Indonesia http://www.religiousfreedom.com/wrpt/asiapac/indonesia.htm
- ^ The Jakarta Post http://www.thejakartapost.com/community/ina3.asp
- ^ a b Indonesia - Islam http://countrystudies.us/indonesia/37.htm