research

Muslim Baduy: Da'wa, Conversion, and Identity
Supervisors: dr. N.J.G. Kaptein and prof. dr. G.A. Persoon
 

For his PhD research Ade Jaya Suryani studies the dynamics of da’wa conducted by Muhammadiyah (the second largest Muslim organisation in Indonesia), Dewan Dakwah Islamiyah Indonesia (DDII), Al Washliyah of Medan, kiyais/ Muslim preachers, and teachers in the Baduy community. Baduy is a tribe in Banten province, Indonesia, where its people adhere the local religion Sunda Wiwitan. They are geographically and religiously divided into two kinds: the inner (the strictest) and the outer (the less strict) Baduys. Baduy people, according to the theology of Sunda Wiwitan, are destined to be ascetics. Therefore, they reject modernity including its products.
However, after they permitted tourists to visit their villages about 20 years ago, many of them could not maintain their religious teachings. Some inner Baduy people have become outer Baduy people and some 1,000 people of outer Baduy have become Muslims. They changed their names and moved to Muslim villages. Their conversion to Islam is the impact of tourism, da’wa activities conducted by the preachers and teachers supported by Muhammadiyah, al-Washliyyah, DDI and other da’wa organisations; and to a certain extent by the state.
Since 20 years ago tourism has contributed significantly to the conversion of the Baduy people. Every week tens to hundreds of tourists come to Baduy villages. Many university students visited Baduy villages and invited Baduy youths to live with them in cities. They were educated by the students or sent to educational foundations to attend formal education. Afterwards, they converted into Islam. After years they returned to Muslim Baduy villages, built madrasas, and taught Muslim Baduy students. The community of Baduy, at the same time, has become a battle field among political parties and Christian missionaries and Muslim preachers.

Education

Employment

Research Projects

Publications

Article and book
2012, Perempuan Pergi ke Arab: Migrasi, Ekonomi, dan Agama (Serang: Gong Publishing)
2013, Authorship in Banten: A General Overview (Alqalam: Vol. 3 No. 1 (Januari-April))

Screenplays, broadcast by RCTI
2005, Café Soleh: Tafsir Mimpi
2005, Café Soleh: Guruku Selalu Rapat
2005, Café Soleh: Haji Mardud
2005, Café Soleh: Setelah Lebaran
2005, Ujang Santri: Suami Semena-mena
2005, Ujang Santri: Membantu Nenek
2005, Ujang Santri: Surat Palsu
2005, Ujang Santri: Pernikahan Dini
2005, Ujang Santri: Wanita Tengah Malam
2005, Ujang Santri: Penganggu Tunangan

Short-stories, poems or essays are included in:
2003, Kacamata Sidik (Senaya Abadi)
2003, Sembunyi Sampai Mati (SSS)
2005, Masih Ada Cinta di Senja Itu (Senayan Abadi)
2005, Padi Memerah (MU:3)
2005, Panggil Aku Bunga (GIP)
2005, The Real Story of Jomblo (LPPH)
2006, Ode Kampung (Rumah Dunia)
2006, Tiga Kisah: Antologi Cerpen (SSS, Rumah Dunia)
2008, Cinta Lelaki dan Peluru (Tiga Serangkai)
2013, Next Station: Catatan Perjalanan Ke Singapura dan Malaysia

Novel
2005, Mana Bidadari Untukku (Beranda)
2007, Lewat Tengah Malam (GagasMedia) with Gola Gong
 

Tens of articles and short stories, and some poems were published by Inside Indonesia, The Jakarta Post, Matabaca, Sabili, Aneka Yess, Radar Banten, Fajar Banten, Banten Raya Post, Tabloid SiGMA, and Tabloid Kaibon.