Islam, Colonialism and the Modern Age in the Netherlands East Indies: A Biography of Sayyid ‘Uthman (1822 - 1914)

In this biography Nico J.G. Kaptein studies the life and times of Sayyid ‘Uthman (1822-1914), the most prominent Muslim scholar of his era in the Netherlands East Indies. During his long career, he provided guidance to the Muslim community and from 1889 onwards simultaneously served the colonial government as advisor for Muslim affairs after the famous C. Snouck Hurgronje had engaged him. Based on an analysis of his writings, Kaptein focuses on the question of how Sayyid 'Uthman viewed the place of Islam in the colonial state and the many reactions this provoked, both nationally and internationally, e.g. from the Cairo-based reformist Rashid Rida.

For an online exhibition on Sayyid 'Uthman of Batavia (1822-1914): A Life in the Service of Islam and Colonial Rule , see: http://www.library.leiden.edu/special-collections/special/sayyid-uthman-exhibition-now-online.html