Researcher: Rights of Indigenous Faith Adherents Still Not Equal

The Director of the Institute for Javanese Islam Research (IJIR), Akhol Firdaus, has highlighted the absence of inclusive policies accompanying the establishment of the Day of Indigenous Faith Adherents every 13 July. As a result, the community of Indigenous Faith Adherents is considered to not yet be fully equal in enjoying their basic rights.

“The establishment of the Day of Indigenous Faith Adherents has still not been followed by inclusive policies that make them equal in the enjoyment of basic rights,” Akhol said when contacted on Wednesday (8/7/2026).

Akhol cited the example of civil administration registration for Indigenous Faith Adherents, which is still differentiated from followers of other religions. In addition, education services for them are deemed not yet fully integrated into the National Education System (Sisdiknas).

“For instance, civil registration is still differentiated from other religious communities, education services for Indigenous Faith Adherents have not been incorporated into Sisdiknas, and their marriage rights are still not fully accommodated,” he explained.

Based on these facts, Akhol assessed that the policy establishing the Day of Indigenous Faith Adherents remains artificial. “These facts show that the policy establishing this day is still artificial,” he stressed.

Nevertheless, Akhol explained that the designation of 13 July is actually a continuation of a positive step by the government. This momentum follows the Constitutional Court ruling regarding the inclusion of indigenous beliefs on the religion column of identity cards.

“If viewed within the general framework of how the government recognises ancestral religions or beliefs, this is a continuation of a positive step following the Constitutional Court ruling,” he added. However, he emphasised that the establishment of the commemorative day has not yet demonstrated the government’s implementation of a comprehensive non-discrimination policy towards Indigenous Faith Adherents.