The Educational Background of Imams and Its Contribution to their Recognition as Religious Leaders: The Case of Indonesian Muslim Community in the Netherlands

Iqbal, Asep Muhamad (2017) The Educational Background of Imams and Its Contribution to their Recognition as Religious Leaders: The Case of Indonesian Muslim Community in the Netherlands. Islam Realitas, 3 (1). pp. 21-37.

Text 3EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND OF IMAMS in Netherlands[Asep Iqbal].pdf Download (307kB)

Abstract

The Netherlands is one of European countries whose population with Islamic background has been increasing
significantly. Statistical data show that there are around one million Muslims in this country or around six
per cent of total population of the Netherlands. Some Muslim communities in this country came from
Southeast Asia including Indonesia. The number of Muslim population from Indonesia was estimated to be
around 200,000 out of 400,000 Dutch population with Indonesian background. This certainly necessitates
the involvement and role of religious leaders who are able to serve the need and interests of Muslim community
with Indonesian backrgound in this country. One of the important issues needs attention is the educational
background of these religious leaders. Therefore, this paper describes the following: what is the educational
background of the imams and how this contributes to their recognition as religious leaders by Muslim
community with Indonesian background in the Netherlands. It argues that the different patterns of
educational background of imams among Indonesian Muslims in the Netherlands have significantly
contributed to their recognition as respected religious leaders by their community.

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