Tag: Philippines

Islam, Islamic politics and religiously motivated violence are usually issues associated with the wider Middle East region or South Asia.

Less visible, yet no less significant is the presence of Islamic politics, tensions and political expression in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

A region marked by immense historical and religious diversity, by painful historical schisms, and in certain cases by an unrivaled dynamism and ability to marry Islam with modernity, Southeast Asia deserves closer inspection and more contextually sensitive analysis.

This week the ISN publishes a Special Report on the issue with a backgrounder on Islam in the region and a case study of the Abu Sayyaf Group in the Philippines.

We have a wealth of further information on the topic in our Digital Library and Current Affairs section- check out:

• In our Digital Library, a National Bureau of Asian Research paper examines Islamism in South and Southeast Asia and discusses policy implications for the US.

• An Al Naklah article looks at the role if Islam in Acehnese separatism.

• In our Current Affairs section, an International Crisis Group briefing examines Indonesian Islamic terrorism and the role of Noordin Top in the July 2009 Jakarta bombings.

• In our Links section, check out the website of the National Bureau of Asian Research which analyzes less visible issues related to Islam and Muslim societies in Asia.

• And in our IR Directory, the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter Terrorism which trains and builds the capacity of enforcement and security officials from governments in the region and beyond.