New Books Network Lin Hongxuan, "Ummah Yet Proletariat: Islam, Marxism, and the Making of the Indonesian Republic" (Oxford UP, 2023)
Dec 25, 2025
Lin Hongxuan, an Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore, dives into the unexpected synergy between Islam and Marxism in Indonesia from 1915 to 1965. He explores how these ideologies coexisted and evolved, highlighting the contributions of women like S.K. Trimurti and shedding light on lesser-known activists. Lin critiques simplistic labels like 'Islamist' and 'Communist,' revealing nuanced identities. He draws parallels with global movements and discusses his future research on progressive Islamic thought in the Indian Ocean.
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Islam And Marxism Coexisted
- Lin Hongxuan shows Islam and Marxism coexisted fruitfully in Indonesia from 1915–1965, contradicting claims of inherent incompatibility.
- He attributes this to Indonesians translating global ideas and translating Islam into political idioms supporting social reform.
Weave Women Into Mainstream History
- Lin deliberately integrates women's voices throughout the narrative rather than isolating them in a separate chapter.
- He argues print culture better reveals women’s political contributions than state archives do.
S.K. Trimurti’s Dual Commitments
- Lin highlights S.K. Trimurti, a Labour Minister and journalist who fused Marxist ideas with personal Islamic faith but never joined the Communist Party.
- Trimurti shaped Indonesia's first labour law and led women's civil society activism.