Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia Post-Dissolution: Adaptation Strategies, Ideological Persistence, and Reemergence in Indonesian Politics

Abstract

Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), a transnational Islamic organization advocating for a global caliphate, was officially dissolved by the Indonesian government in 2017 for posing a threat to Pancasila and national sovereignty. This study examines the post-dissolution dynamics of HTI, focusing on its adaptation mechanisms and the continued influence of its caliphate discourse on Indonesia's political and social landscape. Employing critical discourse analysis through a library-based qualitative approach and content analysis of literature, the research reveals that former HTI members have shifted from formal public activities to digital platforms, informal networks, and rebranded communities to disseminate ideology and recruit members. Key adaptations include virtual da'wah, youth-targeted seminars, and capitalizing on societal grievances such as economic inequality and moral decline. Factors enabling re-emergence encompass public dissatisfaction with democracy, global transnational influences, lax digital oversight, and ideological appeal to millennials. Although lacking formal power, HTI's narrative sustains debates on the relationship between religion and the state. The study concludes that formal dissolution has not eradicated the movement but transformed it into a more resilient, underground entity. Recommendations include enhanced digital monitoring and counter-narratives, while limitations underscore the need for ethnographic studies to assess the grassroots impact.