To be sure, the Islamist effort has not gone unopposed. Groups such
as the Liberal Islamic Network, the path-breaking Libforall Foundation
helmed by former president Abdurrahman Wahid, and assorted women's
groups have pushed back. Yet while their efforts are worth lauding,
they also suffer from a fatal flaw. Extremists and moderates are free
to quibble over the interpretation of Koranic verses and the life of
the prophet Muhammad, but any public criticism of Islam itself is out
of bounds.

The Spaniard who supports
contraception and gay rights can flatly declare that he doesn't care
what the Bible says or what the Pope thinks. An Indonesian who says the
same about the Ko...

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To be sure, the Islamist effort has not gone unopposed. Groups such
as the Liberal Islamic Network, the path-breaking Libforall Foundation
helmed by former president Abdurrahman Wahid, and assorted women's
groups have pushed back. Yet while their efforts are worth lauding,
they also suffer from a fatal flaw. Extremists and moderates are free
to quibble over the interpretation of Koranic verses and the life of
the prophet Muhammad, but any public criticism of Islam itself is out
of bounds.

The Spaniard who supports
contraception and gay rights can flatly declare that he doesn't care
what the Bible says or what the Pope thinks. An Indonesian who says the
same about the Koran and the prophet Muhammad invites charges of
"Islamophobia" and threats of violence. Until this changes and
Indonesian secularists begin to enjoy the same freedom to criticize
religion as their counterparts in the United States, India or South
Korea, they will continue to fight with one hand tied behind their back.