This paper presents the image of Indonesia in the world post-Soeharto from an interreligious perspective. The paper classifies the image of Indonesia into three categories. First, an image which views interreligious relationship as more harmonious, open, and fair, due to implementation of legal reforms, such as the Law on House of Worship, in which non-Muslim houses of worship have increased by more than 300%, and the fact that SBY and several regional governments have been given ‘peace’ awards by foreign institutions. Second, an image of Indonesian society as secular, liberal and western-oriented, due to its religious openness which exceed other Muslim societies in Southeast Asia and the world. Third, an image where Indonesia is the place where various religious tensions or conflicts occur between different religious communities, religious schools of thoughts, as well as the place for the existence of religious fanaticism, and the involvement of religious community members in terroristic acts. The paper suggests that there is a need to improve the Indonesian image in the world, especially from an interreligious perspective, by taking several actions, such as providing a fairer service to religious communities through ‘remoderation’, informing the world of positive interreligious relationships in Indonesia, and broadening the horizon of communities and societies in Indonesia through globalization studies.

ndonesia is one of the most diverse countries in the world, not least in terms of religion. According to the 2010 Indonesian Central Statistic Agency1 survey, out of almost 240 million Indonesians only 0.13% adopted other religions and 0.38% did not answer or were not asked about their religion. The rest adhere to the various religions listed in Table 1 and spread across the various Indonesian islands as shown in Figure 1.

Out of the five largest countries in the world in terms of population size, Indonesia is the only archipelagic one in shape. China (population about 1.37 billion), India (1.25 billion), the US (319 million), and Brazil (203 million) are all continental in shape.2 Being archipelagic, it is no wonder that the diverse Indonesia could gain.

International Relations Journal, Aral Sea Crisis, Central Asia, Environment, Human Security, Environmental Security Issues, Human Security Concerns, Gender Concerns.