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Since they are practicing Islam in Indonesian language rather than in Arabic? Also, is it mixed in with indigenous Indonesian folk religions and Buddhist/Hindu/Confucian thought?
Since they are practicing Islam in Indonesian language rather than in Arabic? Also, is it mixed in with indigenous Indonesian folk religions and Buddhist/Hindu/Confucian thought?
I am not an expert on Islam, and I'm not an expert on Indonesia, but I can offer some general-knowledge answers to your questions.
First, the type of Islam practiced in Saudi Arabia is quite different from many other areas. They practice Wahabism in Saudi Arabia. It is a very strict interpretation of the Sunni branch of Islam.
In Saudi Arabia, it is illegal to build churches, synogoges, temples etc. People are not allowed to publically follow religions other than Islam. Only mosques can be built. In Saudi Arabia, it is illegal for women to drive cars, illegal for a female OF ANY AGE to travel without the permission of her "guardian" (ie: a male who is responsible for her), and illegal to have sex outside of marriage.
In Saudi Arabia, there is a special religious police force which enforces religious laws, and which can detain women or men who they deem to be dressed improperly. A female who went outside without a head-covering would be improperly dressed.
The Saudis would tell you that all of these customs are religious, and that they are commanded to act this manner by instructions contained in the Koran.
However... many people will point out that these customs are primarally Arab ethnic cultural customs which existed long before either Mohammed or the Koran, and that not all of the Wahabist interpretations of the Koran are followed by Muslims in other parts of the world.
The Indonesians, for example, do not practice Wahabism. Churches and temples exist in Indonesia, and people are allowed to freely practice religions other than Islam. There are Buddhists, Christians, etc in Indonesia.
In Indonesia, there are no national religious police (though I seem to remember hearing about one state/province starting something like that), and people are not required on a national level to adhere to any particular style of dress. Women in Indonesia are not required to have a male "guardian" once they reach adulthood.
The primarary difference between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia seems to be between the pre-existing cultures of the two countries.
As for worshipping in different languages... it was my understanding that the Koran is in Arabic, and that Muslims are generally required to either learn enough Arabic to read it, or to simply memorize the words in Arabic for the prayers.
From the USA to Germany to Saudi Arabia to India to Indonesia to Australia there is a wide variety in the Islamic faith. Different schools of fiqh (jurisprudence), different customs attached to the faith, different translations of the Qur'an, different implementations (or none at all) of Shariah, etc, and so on.
From the USA to Germany to Saudi Arabia to India to Indonesia to Australia there is a wide variety in the Islamic faith. Different schools of fiqh (jurisprudence), different customs attached to the faith, different translations of the Qur'an, different implementations (or none at all) of Shariah, etc, and so on.
The answer to the OP really is 'yes' and 'no'.
To add to this, very few Muslims speak Arabic as their first language. Less than 20% of the world's Muslims are Arabic.
There only a few things that are required to be in Arabic such as the 5 Required prayers. all other prayers can be in our language of Choice. There are different madhabs of the Shariah, these do differ considerably. the only things all Muslims have in common are the 5 Pillars of Faith and the Fundamental beliefs of Islam. The prayers in the Mosque are the same world wide: These can be seen HERE
Indonesia is a pretty big country with a variety of ethnic groups. So there are different madhabs and orders among Indonesia's Muslims. Like the Minangkabau traditionally mix Islam with the pre-Islamic "Adat", I think it's called, rules that follow matrilineal descent. So among them land is traditionally inherited from the mother or mother's family. However Indonesia does have more "Islamist" type organizations too, ones that do desire Islamic law as national law.
Indonesia is unlike Saudi though. For one they have a moderately substantial, and open, non-Islamic minority. Officially Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan too, are over 95% Muslim. (Unofficially Saudi Arabia likely has more non-Muslims than claimed as non-Muslims are hidden and they have workers from non-Muslim nations who might not be counted.) Indonesia is highly Muslim, but looks to be more like 88% Muslim. Hinduism, on Bali in particular, has a long history in Indonesia. Also in the Malukus/Moluccas there's a sizable Christian group. As it's a nation of around 220 million or so, if I'm remembering right, the 12% non-Muslim would be like 26 million people. And there's also some Ahmadiyya, who orthodox Muslims tend not to consider as validly Muslims.
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Indonesia is also unique in that both Buddhism and Hinduism were practiced there for several centuries before it eventually became primarily Muslim. Each rellgion was introduced by the succession of east Indian, Chinese, and then Arabic traders respectively, traveling to what was once known as the "spice islands".
But one will still see many influences from the earliest ancient "animist" beliefs predating all of them, with offerings and "respect" still being made to various local "spirits", alongside the usual Buddhist, Hindu or even Muslim prayers & rituals.
Since they are practicing Islam in Indonesian language rather than in Arabic? Also, is it mixed in with indigenous Indonesian folk religions and Buddhist/Hindu/Confucian thought?
Although Indonesia is predominantly Islamic, the mentality of the Indonesians are still influenced by their earlier exposure to "folk beliefs, Buddhism, Hinduism, and even Christianity." This has moderated some of their religious culture and practices.
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