The Discourse of Asian Values and its Future

The Discourse of Asian Values and its Future In this postmodern world, Western notions of civilized society and its universality seem to be challenged by the rest of the world. Fukuyama’s “End of History” seems to be proven obsolete, and on the other hand, the rise of the rest (including alternate forms of political governance) [...]

Radicalization from Below: The Case of Religious Bylaws

Memories of numerous bombing attacks in big cities and churches as well as the dramatic terrorist captures by the police may give an image of contemporary battles against Islamic radicalism in newly-democratized Indonesia. But think about this: rather than blowing-up buildings, some Islamist groups attempt to push the agenda of Sharia implementation through non-violent, formal [...]

Republik, Kebebasan, dan Kemerdekaan

Republik, Kebebasan dan Kemerdekaan Oleh Iqra Anugrah* Beberapa hari lagi menjelang ibadah di bulan suci Ramadhan sekaligus peringatan kemerdekaan Indonesia, bangsa kita kembali diguncang berbagai macam peristiwa yang menyerang sendi-sendi kehidupan berbangsa. Aksi-aksi kekerasan yang dilakukan oleh ormas-ormas berbaju agama seperti Front Pembela Islam (FPI) maupun hiruk-pikuk permainan politik dan modal yang tecermin dalam usulan [...]

Middle East needs truly secular governance

By IQRA ANUGRAH Special to The Japan Times BEPPU, Oita Pref. — The march for secularism held on April 26 in Lebanon focused attention on the country and the region’s conflicts and battle of values. Thousands of Lebanese from various social backgrounds — Shiite, Sunni, Maronite and more — took to the streets and marched [...]

Lifesaving dialogue past due between Islamic world and West

By IQRA ANUGRAH Special to The Japan Times BEPPU, Oita Pref. — The relationship between the West and the Islamic world is worrisome. Recent events in Western and Muslim countries show the tension between these two civilizations. Last year the Swiss People’s Party, backed by a popular referendum, proposed a construction ban on mosque minarets. [...]

Demokrasi tanpa Demokrat

DEMOKRASI TANPA DEMOKRAT Iqra Anugrah MAHASISWA DI COLLEGE OF ASIA-PACIFIC STUDIES, RITSUMEIKAN ASIA-PACIFIC UNIVERSITY Masa depan demokrasi di Indonesia sedang berada dalam fase yang amat genting. Beberapa tahun yang lalu kita kehilangan Cak Nur, dan belum lama ini kita kehilangan Gus Dur. Ketiadaan dua figur yang selalu berkomitmen dan membela demokrasi serta nilai-nilai demokratik itu [...]

Democracies that lack liberty

Democracies that lack liberty By IQRA ANUGRAH Special to The Japan Times BEPPU, Oita Pref. — Around the world, our generation is witnessing the three Ds: deregulation, decentralization and, ultimately, democratization. The export of democracy is no doubt one of the most important items on the Western foreign policy agenda. Nevertheless, the effort seems to [...]

Islam’s Place in Politics

Islam’s place in politics By IQRA ANUGRAH Special to The Japan Times BEPPU, Oita Prefecture — The dynamics of Islam and politics in Indonesia are always worth following. Conventional wisdom says that moderates rule the game. In reality, this is not always true. Sadanand Dhume, an expert on Islam and Indonesia, recently wrote an article [...]

Rektor di Jepang ‘Diwisuda’ Mahasiswa Indonesia

Beppu – Tak heran jika setiap kelulusannya, para mahasiswa diwisuda oleh sang rektor. Namun berbeda dari biasanya, seorang rektor Universitas di Jepang ‘diwisuda’ oleh para mahasiswanya. Salah seorang mahasiswa itu berasal dari Indonesia. Mantan rektor Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) Professor Monte Cassim baru saja menyelesaikan masa baktinya memimpin universitas, ia pun ‘diwisuda’ para mahasiswanya. [...]

APU Students win 2010 FCCJ Swadesh DeRoy Scholarship Awards

APU Students win 2010 FCCJ Swadesh DeRoy Scholarship Awards: 2010/5/5 17:40:12 (1502 reads) On Friday, April 9, two APU students attended the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan (FCCJ) 2010 Swadesh DeRoy Scholarship Award Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony in Tokyo. Iqra Anugrah (APS 3, Indonesia) won a Distinguished Runner Up prize while HANS Nicholas (APS 4, [...]