Prabowo Subianto book sparks controversy over religious narrative

The book “Islam Ala Prabowo” has sparked public controversy regarding its title and the way it portrays the religious identity of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Critics argue that the title suggests a specific model of Islam unique to the president, whereas Islam is a broad tradition not owned by any single leader or political group.

A primary criticism involves the lack of direct input from Prabowo himself. Analysts note that the narrative is built through third-party interpretations and testimonies rather than the president's own spiritual reflections or primary data, raising questions about who is authorized to define a leader's piety.

Prof. Dr. KH Asep Saifuddin Chalim, Chairman of the Jaringan Kyai Santri Nasional and the book's epilogue author, expressed surprise at the backlash. He revealed that he had previously advised the publishing team to change the title to something less sensitive, such as “Prabowo's Leadership through the Lens of Islam.” Chalim clarified that his contribution was intended as a religious message regarding leadership inspired by Caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz, focusing on anti-corruption efforts, rather than an attempt to deify the president.