Arab and Persian traders increasingly spread Islam in Nusantara from 12th century

In the late 12th century, Muslim traders from Arabia and Persia began to actively spread Islam throughout the Nusantara archipelago, moving beyond their initial focus on commerce. This period marked a significant shift in their activities, fostering religious and cultural ties between the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

According to Prof. Azyumardi Azra's research, the emergence of several Muslim kingdoms in Nusantara from the 13th century onward provided a new impetus for political and religious connections with the Middle East. While Muslims had reached Nusantara and China as early as the 7th century, the late 12th century saw a notable increase in Islamic proselytizers, particularly from Arabia, engaging with the indigenous populations.

This intensified religious outreach contrasted with earlier periods when Arab and Persian Muslims primarily engaged in trade. The change was influenced by religious and political shifts in the Middle East, as well as a decline in trade within Nusantara. This decline was partly due to the weakening power of the Sriwijaya empire, especially towards the end of the 12th century, and the concurrent rise of new kingdoms in Java, such as the Kingdom of Kediri.

The economic policies of the Sriwijaya rulers, including monopolistic practices and heavy duties on foreign ships, created significant challenges for foreign traders, particularly Muslims from Arabia and Persia. These difficulties in maintaining their trade routes may have prompted a greater focus on religious propagation as an alternative avenue for influence and engagement in the region.