In February 2023, I traveled to Indonesia for fieldwork, exploring the vibrant landscapes of Jakarta and particularly Depok, a city in close proximity to Jakarta. During my time there, I had valuable interactions with some Indonesian scholars specializing in Islam and democracy. I also visited UIII - Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia and engaged with its faculty. Moreover, I was able to see activists from influential Muslim civic organizations like Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, and shared moments with local families.

The diversity I experienced in Indonesia—across religions, cultures, and varying perceptions of freedom, modernity, and liberalism—was incredibly fascinating to me.