Islam in Indonesia?

Originally posted by Nick1986 My uncle owns a mask from Indonesia similar to this one. What was its purpose? I understand Muslims are forbidden to create images of God, so these masks must now have another, secular function

I can't be quite sure, Nick, but I think it might be a mask, or maybe a temple mask, of Barong, which is seen by the Indonesian people as a benevolent deity, who is powerful enough to evict the devil. I think it is something which might be hung up at the entrance to temples and the like.  

Originally posted by Nick1986 Before the arrival of Islam, Malaya and Indonesia were pagan or Buddhist societies. In modern times Indonesia has the largest Muslim population outside the Middle East. How long did the conversion of the people take, and why was Islam so successful?

I think you will find that Indonesia is the largest Muslim population in the world.