ICMI
Definition
ICMI (Ikatan Cendekiawan Muslim se-Indonesia), known in English as the Association for Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals, was established in 1990 during the rule of President Suharto. It serves as a forum for modernist Muslim intellectuals in Indonesia.
Etymology
The acronym ICMI stands for Ikatan Cendekiawan Muslim se-Indonesia in Indonesian. The word Ikatan translates to “association” or “union,” Cendekiawan translates to “intellectuals,” Muslim stands for “Muslim,” and se-Indonesia means “throughout Indonesia.”
- Arabic Translation: اتحاد العلماء المسلمين في إندونيسيا
- Turkish Translation: Endonezya Müslüman Alimler Derneği
Historical Context
ICMI was inaugurated during President Suharto’s tenure as a consolidation of modernist intellectual Muslim thought. It was spearheaded by B. J. Habibie, Suharto’s Research and Technology Minister at the time, who later became the President of Indonesia.
Membership
In the mid-1990s, ICMI claimed a membership of about 42,000 individuals. These members comprised a broad spectrum of society, including university instructors, journalists, professionals, and high-ranking state officials.
Influence and Criticism
Objectives and Criticisms
ICMI’s establishment was viewed by critics as a strategic move to counterbalance the influence of traditional Islamic groups opposing President Suharto. They argued that ICMI provided intellectual validation for Suharto’s regime and policies. Moreover, ICMI launched Republika, a daily newspaper that rose to prominence as a leading Islamic publication in Indonesia during the 1990s.
Publications
- Republika: This daily newspaper became the most influential Islamic publication in Indonesia during its period of significance in the 1990s.
Further Reading
To explore more about ICMI and its historical and cultural significance, the following books are recommended:
- “The Making of Indonesian Islam: Orientalism and the Narration of a Sufi Past” by Michael Laffan
- “Islam and the Making of the Nation: Kartosuwiryo and Political Islam in 20th Century Indonesia” by Chiara Formichi
- “Islam, Nationalism and Democracy: A Political Biography of Mohammad Natsir” by Audrey Kahin
Takeaways
- The ICMI has had a significant role in Indonesian intellectual and political landscapes.
- It served dual purposes as both a support for Suharto’s regime and a platform for modernist Muslim intellectualism.
- Republika played a critical role in disseminating ICMI’s intellectual movements and ideas.
Conclusion
ICMI represents a critical intersection of religion, politics, and intellectualism in late 20th-century Indonesia. It exemplifies the dynamic interplay between modernist thought and traditional forces within Islamic communities in a politically charged environment. Understanding ICMI’s role offers valuable insights into the broader narratives of political strategy and religious modernization.
