Islam, Mysticism and Sufism in Indonesia by Nina Mariani Noor

From the three readings, it is obvious that Islam which develops in Indonesia experiencing adaptation and acculturation. Since the strong indigenous beliefs which already established long before the coming of Islam, particularly in Java, Islam which is practiced by Javanese people somehow is still embedded by those Javanism. These practices of Islam which are called by Ricklefs synthesis mysticism. However, I think, in practicing Islam, Javanese Muslims are not only influenced by Javanism but also Sufism. Those two terms are having some similarities to some extent but their foundation is different. The former is based on Javanese spiritual beliefs whereas the latter is based on Islamic foundation.
Looking at the practice of Sufism in Java, we will automatically look at tarekats and also Nahdlatul Ulama. Tarekats really have significant influence in Islamic practice in Indonesia even till today. Nahdlatul Ulama as one of Islamic Sufism in Indonesia really have very close relationship with Syeikh Abdul Qadir Jaelani (one of Sufism figure). In their ritual like tahlilan, praying, they always recite the biography of Syeikh Abdul Qadir Jaelani. This Syeikh is very popular among NU people.
In response to Ricklefs about the teaching of the mystic synthesis tradition of Javanese Islam in pesantrens (p.71), although I never experience living in pesantren, I do admit that such kind of teachings are likely still taught to santris in some traditional pesantrens nowadays. However, in my opinion, it seems to me that banishing such kind of practice is unlikely although there are some young generations who are trying to purify Islam from such kind of un-Islamic practice. This is because, for me, religion is not only dogmatic things but also cultural matters in which human beings can not detach from their contextual culture. It is okay to practice Islamic teachings influenced by our cultural context, as long as those cultures do not oppose Islamic teachings.