Michael Francis Laffan offers a sweeping exploration of two centuries of interactions among Muslim subjects of empires and nation-states around the Indian Ocean world. He traces interlinked lives and journeys, examining engagements with Western, Islamic, and pan-Asian imperial formations to consider the possibilities for Muslims in an imperial age.
Orientalism and the Narration of a Sufi Past
The book explores the unique development of Indonesian Islam, highlighting the significant influence of Sufism in fostering a moderate interpretation of the faith. It examines how this peaceful tradition has been historically challenged by external forces, particularly more radical Islamic ideologies introduced by Arab conquests. Through the perspectives of various Western scholars, it delves into the ongoing tension between Indonesia's indigenous practices and foreign interpretations of Islam, offering insights into the complexities of religious identity in the region.