Spread of Islam in Indonesia
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The history of the arrival of Islam in Indonesia is somewhat unclear. One theory states that Islam arrived directly from Arabia as early as the 9th century, during the time of the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates. Another theory credits Sufi travelers for bringing Islam in the 12th or 13th century, either from Gujarat in India or from Persia. Before the archipelago's conversion to Islam, the predominant religions in Indonesia were Hinduism and Buddhism.
Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh, Aceh. The spread of Islam in Indonesia began in the region.
Stamps of Indonesia commemorating Zheng He's voyages to secure the maritime routes, usher urbanization and assist in creating a common prosperity
Mosque in West Sumatra with traditional Minangkabau architecture
Grand Mosque of Demak, the first Muslim state in Java
Islam in Indonesia
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Islam is the largest religion in Indonesia, with 87% of the Indonesian population identifying themselves as Muslims, based on civil registry data in 2022. In terms of denomination, the overwhelming majority are Sunni Muslims; the Pew Research Center estimates them as comprising ~99% of the country's Muslim population in 2011, with the remaining 1% being Shia who are concentrated around Jakarta and about 400,000 Ahmadi as well. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim-majority country.
Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta
Many diverse Islamic denominations are practised within Indonesia.
The headquarters of Nahdlatul Ulama, an influential traditionalist Sunni Islam movement in the country.
Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor. Pesantren is the Indonesian Islamic boarding school where santri (students) stay and study Islamic teachings and other knowledges.