The Indo-Islamic Heritage Center released a report on 22 December. It has been claimed that Indians have spread Islam in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country. Once the population of Hindus was more in this country, but now it has 87% Muslim population.
How Indians spread Islam in Indonesia? What evidence is cited behind this claim?
What are the things mentioned in the report of Indo-Islamic Heritage Center?
It has been told through historians and Islamic scholars in the report that even though Islam has reached most parts of the world from Arab countries, but Indians have spread Islam in Indonesia. This is the reason why Indonesian Muslims and Indian Muslims have similar practices related to their religion.
This claim was strengthened when, during the research, the design of the tombs of Sultan Malik al-Saleh at the place named Java and Sumatra was found similar to the tombs found in Gujarat.
Apart from this, Snouck Hurgronje, a famous Dutch scholar doing research on Islam, has also told that many practices of Gujarati Muslims are similar to Indonesian Muslims.
The report states that the first Muslims to reach the Sumatra region were from Gujarat and Malabar. Not only this, in 1267, a cleric from the Cambay region of Gujarat established a Muslim state for the first time in Indonesia.
Muslim religion spread rapidly in Indonesia through Sufi mission
According to the report, about 750 years ago, people of Sufi missionaries from Gujarat and Bengal of India went to Indonesia. He managed to establish himself here as a Sufi saint or leader. After this, he went to the towns of Indonesia and started propagating Islam.
At this time traders from the western coasts of India, states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa used to go to Java and Sumatra to do business. Meanwhile, the businessmen, rich and ruling class living here also came under their influence and started accepting Islam. Gradually the Muslim population increased here.
Similarity in Sufi-Hindu beliefs helped spread Islam
It is mentioned in the report that the beliefs of Hindus and Sufis in India were largely similar. Sufism is a sect of Islam, in which equality was emphasized. After this, the visits of Hindus to the khanqahs or places of worship of Sufi saints increased. For this reason, the culture, lifestyle and beliefs here reached Indonesia through Sufi saints.
Just like the Bhakti movement started among the Hindus, in the same way the Sufi movement among the Muslims also started the work of social reform among the Muslims. Sufi saints opposed evils like alcoholism, prostitution. For this reason, he got a lot of popularity in Indonesia, then people here started adopting Muslim religion.
Hindus reached Indonesia 2000 years ago
According to the report, about 2000 years ago, in the first century, Hinduism had reached Indonesia through traders and religious leaders. After this, Hinduism was also promoted in Indonesia during Srijiva and Majapahit period.
During his reign, Islam had emerged here about 1400 years ago. The reason for this was the Muslim traders coming to the sea shores here. After this, gradually Hinduism was left behind and Islam continued to get a boost.
Mention of Hindu kings in Indonesia found in 8th century Chinese document
Chinese historical documents refer to the Hindu king Sanjaya as Holing here in the 8th century. Travelers like Ibn Babuta, Zheng He and Marco Polo have also mentioned Srivijaya and Shailendra Raja.
It is also said about the influence of Hinduism here that the people here had not only adopted this religion but also worked to take it forward.
Temples and idols were established by earlier kings in Indonesia.
Hindu kings had built many temples here. They were named after the rivers Gomti and Ganges. Many temples were built here during the rule of Mataram.
The Government of Indonesia has also installed idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses at many places. Among them is the statue of Saraswati, who is considered the goddess of music education in India, installed in Bali.
Puppet dance is also a special art form in Indonesia. Through which stories of Hindu deities are shown.
India will have more Muslim population than Indonesia by 2050
According to the American think tank Pew Research Center, by the year 2050, India will have the largest Muslim population in the world, which will reach 300 million. Despite this, only those who believe in Hinduism will remain in majority in India.
At present, Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population, where about 250 million Muslims live. The Future of World Religions report states, ‘By 2050, the world’s population will grow at a rate of 35 percent. If the current growth rate continues even after 2050, then by 2070, the largest number of people in the world will follow the Muslim religion.
