Research Themes
The main themes to be researched under the Federation Fellowship include:
- Research Theme A - Islam and the Challenge of Modernity in Southeast Asia
- Research Theme B - Mapping New Approaches to 'Islamic' Governance in Southeast Asia
- Research Theme C - Militancy and Syari'ah in Southeast Asia
Research Theme A - Islam and the Challenge of Modernity in Southeast Asia
This theme encompasses challenges to Muslim intellectual and social life arising from modernity, such as concepts and governance structures like the ‘nation state', ‘feminism' and ‘democracy'. These are significant concerns globally for Muslims, but limited research has been undertaken into their form within the SE Asian region, despite modernity being at the heart of the tensions that give rise to the ultra-conservatism, literalism and terrorism now present in that region.
Research Theme B - Mapping New Approaches to 'Islamic' Governance in Southeast Asia
A key problem for Islamic governance is that the concept of the nation state does not exist in any detail in the revealed sources of Islam. As a consequence, many extreme Islamic groups have turned to the earliest form of Islamic governance, the ‘Caliphate', as an alternative state model. This challenge for Muslims is not only on a meta-level but can also be personalised. What is the appropriate role for a Muslim as citizen and believer? For instance, in Australia, is a Muslim able to uphold ‘Australian values'? Or are these in conflict with their religious beliefs? For an Indonesian, how can a Muslim accept being a citizen within a legal system which is predominantly secular in nature? This theme involves a broad survey of the intellectual, legal and political issues relating to ‘Islamic' governance models within SE Asia to develop an understanding of the options for reconciling contemporary realities and Islamic teachings.
Research Theme C - Militancy and Syari'ah in Southeast Asia
Islamic ‘Jihadi' militancy has had serious consequences for Australia's neighbours and creates ongoing problems across our region. For instance, the Indonesian government is currently dealing with significant domestic terrorism, the Philippines government is still confronting an ongoing rebellion in Mindanao and southern Thailand has become the focus of a major insurgency. Terrorism is now a real threat in our region and policy responses in Australia are hampered by limited expertise and limited availability of information. Building better understandings of the connections between religious/legal norms and terrorism will allow for more nuanced and complete policy debates: demystification will allow for focused and sensitive policy.