Alternative education or teaching radicalism? New literature on Islamic education in Southeast Asia

Abstract

This review article focuses on three recent publications on Islamic education in Southeast Asia. While two are monographs on South Thailand and Myanmar/ Burma, one is a collection of essays on Indonesia, Malaysia, South Thailand, Cambodia, and the Southern Philippines. All works highlight local, regional and international educational networks, as well as their connections to the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. Based chiefly on first-hand fieldwork, the works deliver an up-to-date and detailed picture of current discussions and developments regarding Islamic education in Southeast Asia. Review: 1. Hefner, Robert W. (ed.) (2009), Making Modern Muslims. The Politics of Islamic Education in Southeast Asia, Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, ISBN 978-0-8248-3316-9, 246 p. 2. Liow, Joseph Chinyong (2009), Islam, Education and Reform in Southern Thailand. Tradition and Transformation, Singapore: ISEAS, ISBN 978-981-230-954-9, 218 p. 3. Berlie, Jean A. (2008), The Burmanization of Myanmar's Muslims, Bangkok: White Lotus Press, ISBN 978-974-480-126-5, 155 p.