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The study of the rise of Islamic conservatism in the context of local politics has not been the main focus of studies on Islamic conservatism in Indonesia. Studies on Islamic conservatism have so far emphasized the national political aspect, which illustrates that there has been a change in the dynamics of Islam towards a conservative turn. This article responds to various studies on Islamic conservatism in Indonesia by focusing on the emergence of local Islamic conservatism movements in West Sumatra Province after the New Order. West Sumatra is one of the regions predominantly inhabited by ethnic Minangkabau, which has long been known as a driving force in the Indonesian Islamic renewal and modernism movement. This research uses a qualitative method, with a case study approach, by interviewing actors, religious groups, traditional and religious leaders, and local Islamic organizations. This study found that the change in the spectrum of Islam from Islamic modernism to Islamic conservatism was influenced by several factors. First, the agency factor of post-New Order political openness was utilized by local Islamic organizations to promote religious conservatism. Second, the structural factor of political opportunities is the momentum in the promotion of Islamic conservatism. Third, Local identity was used as an instrument to promote Islamic conservatism in West Sumatra. This study is different from previous studies, as historical factors are the main factors in the proliferation of local Islamic conservatism movements such as in West Java, South Sulawesi, Solo, and West Sumatra. Rising of religious Islamic conservatism has been expanding and increasing in the last two decades in Indonesia. The phenomenon of increasing Islamic conservatism is not only a national phenomenon but has also developed in the context of local politics in the province of West Sumatra, Indonesia. This change in Islamic orientation towards religious conservatism is contrary to the history of local Minangkabau Islam as an entity in Islamic renewal and Islamic modernism in Indonesia in the past. This article explains the change in the religious spectrum from modernism to Islamic conservatism that occurred in West Sumatra, which is little attention to the main concern of researchers on Islamic conservatism in Indonesia. Previous studies of Islamic conservatism in Indonesia tend to emphasize national phenomena and has not been a concern on Islamic conservatism in the context of local politics, especially in West Sumatra.

The emergence of ‘radical Islamist’ movements has challenged the characteristics of Indonesian Islam, which is traditionally moderate and tolerant. According to the author, ‘Islamic radicalism’ is not a new force in Indonesian politics. However, never before have associations espousing such an ideology reached the current level of support. In light of this situation, this article tries to examine the political commitment of ‘Islamist’ political movements in the context of Indonesia’s current democratising process.

The emergence of 'radical Islamist' movements has challenged the characteristics of Indonesian Islam, which is traditionally moderate and tolerant. According to the author, 'Islamic radicalism' is not a new force in Indonesian politics. However, never before have associations espousing such an ideology reached the current level of support. In light of this situation, this article tries to examine the political commitment of 'Islamist' political movements in the context of Indonesia's current democratising process. Adapted from the source document.

Introduction Indonesia is often referred to as a secular state, despite the fact that the state’s first founding principle is ‘Belief in an Almighty God,’ an intentionally ambiguous phrase originally designed to provide a platform upon which Indonesia’s religiously plural community could unite. ‘Religiously neutral state’ is perhaps a more apt interpretation of this founding principle, meaning that no single religion has the privileged status of belonging to, or being preferred by, the state. However, ‘religiously neutral’ does not accurately describe contemporary Indonesia. In fact, among the religions practiced in this multi-faith populace, Islam undeniably dominates both nation and state – it is the professed faith of approximately 88 per cent1 of the now 230 million-strong population.2 Moreover, Indonesia, like other Muslim populations, has experienced a recent resurgence of Islamic identity, which continues to shape public life and public debates about the appropriate role for Islam within it, as well as state practice and policy formulation.3