Indonesia is the country with the largest number of Muslim population in the world- and it is in Indonesia one can discover and celebrate the best of preserved Hindu and Buddhist temples and cultural heritage. How many people in India know the best of Ramayana performance in the world is in Indonesia and performed by Muslims? How many people know the link between Malabar and Indonesia?
Indonesia never ceases to amaze me. It is the fourth most populous country in the world with an estimated population of 264 millions. And more than 87 percent are Muslims. And some of the well preserved ancient temples in the world are in Indonesia, country with a mere 1.7 % Hindus, largely based in Bali. Garuda is the name of airlines. Two of the Universities have Ganesha as the symbol. The best of Ramayana performance is at the Prambana temple in Yogyakata ( Jogjya) and performed by mostly Muslims. The 9th century Mahayana Buddhist temple Borobudur happened to be the largest Buddhist temple complex in the world.
The organic link between India and Indonesia is not only in their names but also a shared cultural heritage. Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam came to Indonesia from India and that too from the south. And the colonialist also followed via India in search of spices. So was the Arabs. The Arab- trade connection has a link with Malabar ( in Kerala) that many may not even know. Religions got established here through trade and not through sword. Hence it was acculturation and symbiosis rather through war and destruction. Hence co-existence and coalescence is at the core of Indonesia cultural strata that can be traced to more than 2500 years. And the national language of Indonesia is "Bhasha'- the very same word used in Malayalam and other Indian languages. Aaakasha Pura is the word of airport. Parvati or Shanti can be the names of devout Muslims. Ganesha happily smiles from different places in Indonesia.
The organic link between India and Indonesia is not only in their names but also a shared cultural heritage. Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam came to Indonesia from India and that too from the south. And the colonialist also followed via India in search of spices. So was the Arabs. The Arab- trade connection has a link with Malabar ( in Kerala) that many may not even know. Religions got established here through trade and not through sword. Hence it was acculturation and symbiosis rather through war and destruction. Hence co-existence and coalescence is at the core of Indonesia cultural strata that can be traced to more than 2500 years. And the national language of Indonesia is "Bhasha'- the very same word used in Malayalam and other Indian languages. Aaakasha Pura is the word of airport. Parvati or Shanti can be the names of devout Muslims. Ganesha happily smiles from different places in Indonesia.
Republic of Indonesia is a liberal democratic republic with freedom of religion. Around 10 percent people are Christians. There are Buddhists too (0.72%) At a time when there is so much of stereotype about Islam in India and elsewhere, Indonesia is an inspiring example of syncretic liberal Culture. India is also an example of syncretic cultural heritage and such a diversity is what makes India unique. While Indonesia has the largest number of Muslim population in the world( 13.1% of the world, India has the second largest number of Muslims ( 11% of the total Muslims in the world). Both are democratic countries. Hence, there is a lot to learn from each other.
Those proponent of majoritarian Hindutva should go and learn few lessons from Indonesia. Those proponents of Islamic fundamentalism should learn few lessons from Indonesia. In a country where the largest number of Muslims live in the wold., there is a liberal democratic republic that celebrate it's syncretic cultural heritage. It is Indonesia that should inspire us .
How many people know the Malabar connection with Indonesia? Malabar is an area in West Java in the Bandung district. Malabar coffee is well known and there are Malabar restaurant too without knowing Malabar has something to do with Kerala, till I explained to my good Indonesian friends. My first visit to Indonesia was in 1996 and then visited the country at least ten times- and every time I learn something new. Indonesia is a country where I feel at home and never get tired of visiting as it continues to inspire me in the best of syncretic cultural symbiosis.
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