The growing manifestation of Islamic teachings in post-Suharto Indonesia is reflected in the emergence of Islamic revivalist movements that have such religio-political aspirations as the domestic application of sharia-based laws and the re-establishment of the caliphate. However, the extent to which these movements interpret, implement, and frame this sharia varies from one movement to another. This paper examines one of these movements, the primary goal of which is to mobilize public support, particularly of youths in Indonesia, against dating. This movement is called the Indonesia Tanpa Pacaran or Indonesia Without Dating (ITP). It is a form of cultural activism that is centered on the issues of dating, which is framed as a by-product of Western modernity. Dating is thus not only labelled as forbidden in Islam; the movement also challenges its common practice among youths and attempts to offer guidance to them on the perceived ideal Islamic-based relations between unmarried male and female youths. Employing the perspective of framing in social movements, this paper shows that the ITP’s anti-dating activism is an inextricable part of its larger religio-political goal of implementing sharia in the country. Furthermore, the paper also demonstrates the strong connection between ITP and the already banned Islamic revivalist movement that calls for the re-establishment of the caliphate — Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI).
Keywords: Islamic activism, anti-dating movement, social movement, sharia, the caliphate, Indonesia