Islamist Voices

This chapter discusses the loose, informal networks or circles, based upon a common workplace, region, or outlook, within which intellectuals clustered. Of the intellectual groupings, perhaps the most noteworthy were the Islamist writers and thinkers, whose religious fervour and political aspirations provided the major exception to the general intellectual tone of moderation. This chapter provides (anonymised) portraits of some of its members: “stars,” like the Islamic philosopher Professor Omar; well-known brokers between the national and regional literary scenes, like Kamaluddin; Haji Hamid, who tried to start a new form of Islamic social organisation in the hinterland; Suhaimi, a charismatic youth leader; and rank-and-file members of the Islamist cluster such as Adnan, an Islamic socialist, and Ustadz Ali, an award-winning writer.