An Indonesian Muslim Communities Da’wah in a Multicultural Country: A Portrait of Da’wah Acceptance and Rejection from Australia

Abstract

Australia is the largest multicultural country where different religions exist including Islam. As a close neighbor, some Muslim communities from Indonesia have settled and involved in da’wah—teaching the religion of Islam—in this country: in the state of Victoria, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory. This study aims (a) to obtain a picture of contributions of da’wah done by Indonesian Muslim communities to the expansion of Islam in Australia, and (b) to examine the acceptance of Australian non-Muslims residing in those states about Islam and the da’wah. This research utilizes a descriptive analytic approach. The findings reveal that Indonesian Muslims in Australia and their approaches in da’wah has contributed to the spread of Islam including its Indonesian influence. One challenge faced is the attitude of communal inclination, desire to gather with fellow Indonesians and people with similar religion and to show the ethnicity and religious identity causing resistance among local people.

 Keywords: A Contribution of Da’wah, Australian Non-Muslim Communities, Indonesia Islam, Resistance, Acceptance