Sarekat Islam
Definition
Sarekat Islam (Arabic: جمعية الإسلامي) was Indonesia’s first mass political party, at its zenith claiming over one million members. It emerged as a nationalist organization in the early twentieth century opposing both local Chinese economic dominance and Dutch colonialism. The movement also integrated Islamic socialist and modernist perspectives, although its organizational coherence was limited, which contributed to its eventual decline. By the mid-20th century, Sarekat Islam persisted in Muslim political circles as a splinter party. In the 1970s, under Suharto’s New Order regime, the party was effectively absorbed into the Partai Persatuan Pembangunan (PPP, United Development Party), consolidating various Muslim parties into one coalition.
Etymology and Translations
- Arabic: جمعية الإسلامي (Jam‘iyat al-Islami) - meaning “Islamic Association”
- Turkish: İslam Cemiyeti
Historical Context
Sarekat Islam was founded in 1912 initially as a trade cooperative intended to protect indigenous batik traders from Chinese competitors. Over time, it evolved into a broader political organization with significant influence promoting Indonesian nationalism and Islamic revivalism.
Key Features and Movements
Nationalism: Sarekat Islam was at the forefront of early 20th century Indonesian nationalist movements, often clashing with both Chinese economic interests and Dutch colonial authorities.
Islamic Socialism and Modernism: The party reflected a blend of progressive Islamic thought and socialist tools aiming to address societal inequities. Leaders within this movement were proponents of modernist views which argued for re-interpretation of Islam to adapt to contemporary realities.
Decentralized Organization: Loosely structured, the disunity within the party in ideology and organization led to a decline in central authority and by extension, in overall influence over time.
Decline and Absorption
Post-1955, Sarekat Islam’s role diminished politically becoming a splinter entity within Indonesia’s broader Islamic political spectrum. The movement was absorbed into the Partai Persatuan Pembangunan (PPP) in the 1970s as part of Suharto’s efforts to streamline and control political opposition.
Takeaways
- Partitioning and Consolidation: the evolution and absorption of Sarekat Islam into larger political entities highlights the flux characteristic of Indonesian political traditions.
- Modernist-Islamic Influence: the emphasis on blending modernism within Islamic governance remains important in evaluating Islamic political movements.
- Historical Identity: Sarekat Islam’s dual opposition to colonialism and foreign economic powers underscores the deeply intertwined nature of economic policy and nationalist struggles in colonial history.
Recommended Reading
- Shiraishi, Takashi. An Age in Motion: Popular Radicalism in Java, 1912-1926. Cornell University Press, 1990.
- Ricklefs, M.C. A History of Modern Indonesia Since c.1200. Fourth Edition. Palgrave Macmillan, 2008.
- Anderson, Benedict R. O’G. Java in a Time of Revolution: Occupation and Resistance, 1944-1946. Cornell University Press, 1972.
Conclusion
Sarekat Islam’s historical significance as the first mass political entity in Indonesia reveals much about early 20th-century nationalistic and Islamic movements against colonial backdrops. Its eventual absorption reflects shifting political dynamics and the perennial blend between faith and politics in Indonesia.
This entry seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of Sarekat Islam’s history, impact, and legacy within Indonesian and Islamic political context.
