Good news story from Indonesia

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The Lowy Institute has just published a study of the Islamic Court system in Indonesia.

The Islamic Courts deal with what we might call family law matters for people who identify as Muslim.  As there are over 230 million people in Indonesia and the majority are Muslim, it is the busiest court in that country.

The authors (Tim Lindsay and Cate Sumner) found it is one of the most effective and reliable institutions in Indonesia.  Even before the end of the New Order in 1998, it was already a source of constructive support to poor - and particularly strong on the rights of women.  During the Reformasi era it has continued to develop - and become a model for less reliable and effective parts of the justice system.

Although I've never come across the Court in my time in Indonesia, there are elements of the report that 'ring true' for me.

First - my experience is that Islam is an important part of what is good about Indonesia.  Our Indonesian friends generally take their religious obligations quite seriously.  The mosque plays a role in their lives more akin to the church of 50 years ago for Australians or New Zealanders.

Second - development of the Indonesian State occurs when and if Indonesians want it to - and then, only in ways that are consistent with their rich history. 
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