2026 Indonesia Update: Islamic diversity in Indonesia

The Indonesia Update is an annual conference organised by ANU Indonesia Project. It is free and open to the public. Islamic Diversity in Indonesia Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, is often celebrated as a model of peaceful coexistence. But this image is increasingly being questioned as Indonesia experiences the effects of the conservative turn emerging in domestic politics globally. Rising identity politics, online vilification of minorities, increasing levels of authoritarian governance and economic inequality are creating challenges to diversity both within Islamic society and the wider population. The 2026 Indonesia Update will explore the relationship between Islam and diversity in today’s Indonesia through a wide lens aimed at four themes. ‘Embracing Differences’ will look at Indonesian concepts of diversity that underpin everyday coexistence. ‘Insisting on Difference’ will examine Islamic positions that identify danger and harm in difference, along with their effects for minority rights, educational choices and national policy. ‘Institutions’ will explore how organisations respond to and shape difference in civil society, the bureaucracy, politics and the private sector. ‘Mediating Difference’ will investigate digital culture, youth engagement, group relations, and the varying understandings of diversity promoted and debated in the media. The conference will acknowledge that Islam in Indonesia is both a platform for an ethics of inclusion and a site for its contestation and will ask what this means for the country’s future. The 43rd Indonesia Update is convened by Eva Nisa and Julian Millie. It will be held in person at the ANU in Canberra and online. Date and Time: Friday 18 September 2026 9:00am - 5:25pm AEST: Conference Saturday 19 September 2026 9:00am - 1:10pm AEST: Conference Please consult the ANU Indonesia Project webpage for the tentative program: In-person conference venue: This years' in-person event will be held at the Coombs Lecture Theatre, on the beautiful ANU campus in Canberra, Australia. Optional Social Events: An optional social networking dinner will be hosted on Friday evening 18 September, 2026 at the newly opened University House from 5:30 - 7:30pm. This event sells out quickly, so please reserve your spot via this Eventbrite page as soon as possible. An optional Indonesian halal box lunch will be available on Saturday, 19 September, 2026 immediately following the last session. Join us in the Coombs Tea Room from 1:15 - 2:00pm. Pre-orders are essential and can be made via this Eventbrite. Please note that if you have already registered to attend the Indonesia Update conference, and you would now like to add on a Friday night social dinner or Saturday lunch box as an additional booking, you do not need to register to attend the conference for a second time. Simply click 'Get Tickets' and purchase the Friday Social Dinner or Saturday Lunch ticket. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Indonesia Project team at [email protected], and we will help you register. Accessibility: Indonesian sign language and simultaneous translation into Indonesian will be available online. If you are attending in-person and require accessibility accommodations or a visitor Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan please contact the ANU Indonesia Project at [email protected]. In-Person Registration details: Registration is required for this event. To attend in person, please register through this Eventbrite page by clicking on the 'select tickets' button. Zoom Registration details: If you cannot travel to Canberra, you are welcome to attend online. Please register to attend via Zoom: https://bit.ly/IndoUpdate43Online Additional Information: To help keep everyone safe, please ensure that you are familiar with, and follow, the advice from ACT Health regarding COVID-19. If you do not feel well, please refrain from attending this event in person. By registering for this event, you are accepting the ANU privacy policy. Event page and conference program: https://crawford.anu.edu.au/event/indonesia-update-islamic-diversity-indonesia About the Indonesia Update conference The Indonesia Update is the largest annual conference on Indonesian society outside of Indonesia and dates back to 1983. Held in September, it is organised by the ANU Indonesia Project, with support from the ANU Department of Political and Social Change and the ANU Indonesia Institute, as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. ANU Indonesia Project wishes to thank The Australian National University and the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for their substantial and continuing support. The 2026 Indonesia Update is supported by the ANU Indonesia Institute and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). This year's Indonesia Update is included in the 2026 IMMERSIA festival, bringing languages, traditions and contemporary voices from across Asia and the Pacific to the ANU Community, hosted by the ANU School of Culture, History & Language. Cover Image: Ministry of Religious Affairs in Indonesia / Mokodompit Stay in touch as we share information about the 2026 Indonesia Update: Website: https://crawford.anu.edu.au/indonesia-project Online Archive of Indonesia Updates: https://www.indonesiaproject.net/ Join our mailing list by emailing: [email protected] X (Twitter): twitter.com/ANUIndonesia Instagram: instagram.com/indonesia.project Facebook: facebook.com/IndonesiaProject Conference organiser: Indonesia Project, The Arndt-Corden Department of Economics, ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy, Canberra, ACT. 2601 AUSTRALIA. Tel: + 61 2 6125 2308. Email: [email protected] TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider Code: 00120C