Masjumi

(abbreviation for Majelis Sjuro Muslimin Indonesia, Consultative Council of Indonesian Muslims), the largest Muslim party in Indonesia from 1945 to 1960. Its program called for the creation in Indonesia of a state based on the principles of Islam.

The Masjumi Party represented the interests of the landowners and the commercial and money-lending bourgeoisie, although the peasantry constituted its mass base. The party’s leadership was dominated by the so-called religious socialists, who wanted to promote a rapid development of capitalism in Indonesia with the help of imperialist states and who favored a pro-Western foreign policy. In 1960 the party was disbanded by a decree of President Sukarno for participation in antigovernment rebellions, and the leaders involved in the uprisings were arrested. The Suharto government, which came to power in Indonesia in 1965-67, did not allow the reconstitution of the Masjumi Party, but its leaders were released from prison. Many former Masjumi members joined the Muslim Party of Indonesia, which was founded in 1968.