The Islamizaton of Leisure in Indonesia (A Comparative Analysis of Aceh and West Java)

In this culturally unequal world, Islam is perceived as a minority civilization which is acted upon by the dominant “western” civilization. The influence is allegedly reflected in various spheres such as leisure in which a “division of labor” between leisure and work come forth. The recent revitalization of Islam portrays a more assertive Islam in society with the development of Islamic leisure in addition to Islamic economy. The case of Indonesia indicates that there is a process of Islamization of leisure with the application of Islamic values such as the prohibition of “haram” or non-“halal” food and liquor, “khalwat” (close proximity between men and women), gambling as well as the obligation to comply with Islamic dress code. The implementation of this process can be seen as a colonization of lifeworld along with economy and state in which society emerges as a new arena and theater. A comparative analysis between Aceh (a Shariah province) and West Java (a non-Shariah province) will shed lights on various social movements that support or reject the Islamization of leisure. The roles of CSOs, political parties, state and intellectuals and their efforts to achieve compromise will broaden our understanding on the multiple meanings of leisure—and social life.