Organizer: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
Type/Location: Hybrid / Singapore
Description:
Join the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute for a roundtable discussion on the current landscape of Islamic youth organisations in Malaysia and Indonesia, questioning whether growing socioeconomic concerns have superseded identity politics. Speakers include Kalis Mardiasih, an Indonesian writer, digital storyteller, and women’s rights activist; David Efendi, co-founder of Muhammadiyah Green Cadre; Nurul Bahrul Ulum, an activist in the Kongres Ulama Perempuan Indonesia; Ahmad Fahmi, president of the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement; Abdullah Zubayr, head of the youth wing of Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia, and Azareena Abdul Aziz, the program manager for Outreach and Empowerment at Sisters in Islam Forum in Malaysia.
Abstract:
Historically, Islamic organisations in Malaysia and Indonesia—many originating on university campuses—have played a central role in dakwah movements of the 1970s to 1990s, producing leaders who later held key leadership positions in political and religious institutions. This includes Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was formerly the president of the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM). While some of these figures have passed on, others continue to influence contemporary politics and spiritual life. Against this backdrop, this roundtable examines the current landscape of Islamic youth organisations in both countries, questioning whether growing socioeconomic concerns have superseded identity politics. It also explores the roles of the current movements beyond the traditional “Islamist” versus “liberal secularist” divide, and assesses whether current movements share the ideological commitments, vision and drive of their predecessors. In addition, it considers how contemporary issues—such as climate change, gender equality, and social inequality—as well as social media, are reshaping Islamic activism and how youth navigate these challenges within the state.
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About the Speakers:
Kalis Mardiasih is an Indonesian writer, digital storyteller, and women’s rights activist. She is the author of five books that explore gender equality and diversity through a peaceful and inclusive Islamic perspective. She is also a Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) activist.
David Efendi is one of the founders of Muhammadiyah Green Cadre (KHM), a community-based Muslim environmentalist movement in Indonesia. He is also active in conducting eco-literacy training, contributing to progressive environmental discourse in Indonesia.
Nurul Bahrul Ulum is an activist in the Kongres Ulama Perempuan Indonesia (KUPI), a movement of women religious scholars advocating gender justice in Islamic thought. She is also the director of Pesantren Luhur Manhajiy Fahmina in Cirebon, and an initiator of the Sarjana Ulama Perempuan Indonesian (SUPI) programme, an educational initiative that nurtures the young generation of Muslim scholars committed to justice and gender equality.
Ahmad Fahmi is the president of ABIM, where he focuses on policies concerning youth development, education, social reform, and public advocacy. He previously served as president of the National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students (PKPIM) during which he was actively involved in student leadership, policy engagement, and youth mobilisation.
Abdullah Zubayr is head of the youth wing of Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia. With almost two decades of experience in student and youth work, he is committed to supporting IKRAM’s aspiration to be an Islamic, youth-friendly platform that develops solutions to improve the lives of future generations. He is also Banking Supervisor at the Central Bank of Malaysia (2015–2026).
Azareena Abdul Aziz is the program manager for Outreach and Empowerment at SIS Forum (Malaysia), where she leads initiatives that bridge advocacy and community engagement. Her work focuses on strengthening connections between grassroots women, youth, activists, artists, and key institutional actors including members of the shariah fraternity, practitioners, stakeholders, and parliamentarians.
Registration:
To attend the event in person, please register here.
To attend the event virtually, please register here.