This commentary article, published with Theos, considers how religion shaped Indonesia’s 2024 presidential election.

Although faith played little overt role in campaign messaging, religious beliefs still influenced voter choices and strategic alliances. With democracy facing growing risks, political mobilisation—religious or otherwise—has become more fraught. Candidates leaned on religious credentials and scholars for legitimacy, as faith networks remained central to coalition-building. Prabowo’s alignment with Nahdlatul Ulama backing helped secure his victory, but religious divisions persist, even if their public expression has become more subtle in Indonesia’s shifting political landscape.

The full article is available here.