R.A. Surya (Riza) MA

My research is part of Child-Separation project funded by NWO. I am doing a PhD about Children Upbringing in Islamic Institutions in Colonial and Post-Colonial Indonesia. The central question of this study is how did children upbringing by Islamic institutions contribute to the governance of colonial and post-colonial Indonesian society and affect individual lives and social relations? Children were a pivotal group in colonial society in the predominance of faith-based organization as education providers and non-governmental actors for child and youth. Caring for indigenous children orphans remained absent from the Dutch colonial government’s agenda, particularly until the advent of the 20th century. Additionally, indigenous Muslim children encountered challenges in fitting into established racial and religious categories. This indifference towards indigenous children also extended to the realm of education, which can provide as a valuable perspective for comprehending the historical experiences of native children in colonial Indonesia. In this context it is imperative to examine the role of indigenous children within the framework of colonial historiography. The discourse surrounding children in colonial historiography is intertwined with the emergence of the modern colonial state, which commenced its formation in the late of 19th century. Philanthropy endeavors by Muhammadiyah since the beginning of 20th century had significantly been revisioning Islam position as a driving force in caring for orphans. My study study also explores the dynamic of children upbringing in the period of war and regime change. By gaining understanding of children upbringing development in Islamic institutions, brings awareness that caring for orphaned children is the responsibility of all parties, both private and governmental. Both must collaborate to ensure the welfare of orphaned children.