Grassroots peacebuilding in contemporary Indonesia

Sumanto Al Qurtuby focusses on Indonesia since the fall of Suharto's New Order dictatorial government in 1998. This period has witnessed an increase in civil liberties and in tensions and violence across ethnic and religious lines. Al Qurtuby showcases some of the grassroots peacebuilding initiatives that have confronted these challenges. For example, when interreligious violence erupted in Ambon city in 2011, a group of Christian and Muslim activists (the Peace Provocateurs) prevented its spread to other regions. In Central Java, we find examples of local peacebuilders in Wonosobo; productive intra- and inter-religious relations in Jepara; collaborative Christian-Muslim projects in Solo; and an interfaith 'House of Peace' in Semarang. Al Qurtuby also highlights the role of female grassroots peacebuilders, whose stories are not well-documented. They were instrumental, for example during and after the communal conflict in Ambon, Poso and elsewhere in the country.