Chronicles of a Collective Claim to Religious Authority

This paper chronicles KUPI’s collective claim to religious authority for women ulama in Indonesia, from the perspective of the initiators of this movement. It reveals some of the thought process behind key actions taken by KUPI during its first decade in making this collective claim, particularly on how KUPI locates itself in Indonesia’s multiple histories of struggle towards social justice, how it constructs its broad-based and inclusive movement in order to make its bold claim, and how recognition of religious authority takes form at the community level and in the personal lives of KUPI’s women ulama. This chronicle draws on the authors’ engagements, analysis, and reflections as part of the initiators and leadership of KUPI.