Eight in 10 young Indonesians risk being radicalised online. One man is leading the battle for their hearts and minds

Conservative ideology is on the rise in the world’s most populous Muslim nation, with social media described as an incubator for extremism

But analysts say Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Indonesia’s ‘most pluralistic religious affairs minister’, is well positioned to face the current challenges

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Yaqut Cholil Qoumas says his ministry is currently focusing on strengthening moderate religious views. Photo: Facebook

Amy Chew

Published: 9:30am, 23 Jun 2021Updated: 11:27am, 23 Jun 2021

Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, has a tough job on his hands.

It’s not just, as analysts point out, that the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated extremism online and offline. Yaqut is six months into his position at the helm of the ministry at a time conservative and hardline ideologies have permeated government schools and institutions of higher learning, the civil service, as well as political and social life.

Conservatism has also crept into the judiciary, with Indonesia’s Supreme Court in May striking down a decree he co-sponsored that banned state schools from forcing students to wear religious attire.

In the world’s most populous Muslim nation – where most of the 270.6 million people are moderate when it comes to matters of faith – the religious affairs minister is seen by analysts as vital in balancing Indonesia’s social and religious complexities to maintain peace and harmony.

In an interview with This Week In Asia, Yaqut, 46, warned that intolerance and extremist teachings “are particularly targeting the young generation” through digital channels.

“I encourage prominent religious leaders to get involved in strengthening moderate religious content on social media,” he said, adding that such platforms had become “a battleground for both moderate and conservative religious debate”.

Eight in 10 young Indonesians risk being radicalised online. One man is leading the battle for their hearts and minds

Conservative ideology is on the rise in the world’s most populous Muslim nation, with social media described as an incubator for extremism But analysts say Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Indonesia’s ‘most pluralistic religious affairs minister’, is well positioned to face the current challenges

Conservative ideology is on the rise in the world’s most populous Muslim nation, with social media described as an incubator for extremism

But analysts say Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Indonesia’s ‘most pluralistic religious affairs minister’, is well positioned to face the current challenges