Bandung, the capital of West Java, is a city with a long association with the structures of a modern industrialised nation. When the activities of the Dutch colonial government in this area increased in the late nineteenth century, central administrative offices, post office, telegraph and railroad system were established in Bandung. Bandung became an educational center for native islanders in the colonial period with the opening of a technical institute for indigenous students. Today it is called Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), one of the most prestigious universities in Indonesia. In this university, Soekarno, the first president of Indonesia, finished his higher education, and in this university he established a study group, which became the forerunner of the Indonesian National Party (PNI, Partai Nasional Indonesia). In 1955 the city's importance in the Indonesian state was demonstrated symbolically, when it became a site of the Asia-Africa Conference of Non-aligned Nations.

In the Islamic history of Indonesia, Bandung was known as one of the most important places where a reformist and puritan Islamic organisation was established. In 1923, a group of merchants established an organisation called Persatuan Islam (PERSIS, Islamic Union). It was known because of its strict attitude to some Muslim customs, which were considered as superstition in contradiction with the main Islamic teachings (aqidah, faith), although other Muslims accepted those customs as proper Islam. It also accused the nationalist circle of wanting to establish Hindu and animism beliefs (Noer, 1987:13). The PERSIS's methods in promoting their ideas were very strong and even rough; members of the organisation often challenged and invited people to debate. Ideas of this organisation spread not only in Indonesia but also in Malaysia and Singapore. Among Indonesian intellectuals, Persatuan Islam ideas were spread through the writings and activities of Mohammad Natsir, a student of Ahmad Hasan, who was also the leader of Masyumi (Majlis Syuro Muslimin Indonesia, Consultative Council of Indonesian Muslim).^[1]

Like Yogyakarta or Jakarta, Bandung is also known as a student city, in which two large universities ie. Bandung Institute of Technology and Padjadjaran University are located. These two universities are regarded as two of the nine universities of excellence in Indonesia (Railon:1985:23). Besides these universities, there are more than forty other higher education institutions, including private and public academies, institutes, and universities. Not surprisingly, students and lecturers from other places came to this city, and this situation has made Bandung a cosmopolitan city where the local Sundanese traditions are gradually adapted. The activities of these intellectuals made Bandung's intellectual, cultural and art life much more prominent (Ibid,:24).

Bandung is also a military centre. It is a center of the Sixth Regional Military Command (KODAM, Komando Daerah militer VI) Siliwangi, which for a long time has been regarded as one of the most professional of the Indonesian army ground forces (Angkatan Darat) with the best weaponry system. In Bandung are also located various military and police schools. Two of the most important institutions are the command staff college of the army ground forces (SESKOAD, Sekolah Staf Komando Angkatan Darat) and the joint command staff college of the army forces (SESKOGAB, Sekolah Staf Komando Gabungan). Besides these military schools, Bandung has several army groups scattered throughout the Bandung area.

Geographically, Bandung is very close to the national capital, Jakarta, only three or four hours’ trip by bus or train from Jakarta. Elite from Jakarta usually come to Bandung and spend their weekend looking for fresh and cool air and a quiet environment. Likewise, many Bandung residents work in Jakarta, and every weekend they return to Bandung. This close relation creates an easy and smooth exchange of people and ideas between these two cities. International and national information is disseminated in Bandung at almost the same time as in Jakarta, and what happens in Bandung can immediately be heard in Jakarta.

Before the establishment of the New Order (Orde Baru) in 1965–66, Bandung became a place where the anti-Soekarno forces had wide support not only from the strictly Islamic groups, but also from student movements and military groups. Various events in early 1966 demonstrated Bandung students’ important roles. They were always much braver and more radical than their colleagues in Jakarta. Although various important events took place in Jakarta , the role of Bandung’s students was significant in decision making in Jakarta. Rahman Tolleng, the ex-chief editor of Mahasiswa Indonesia,^[2] remarked “In Jakarta there might be a revolution, but Bandung is always the trigger”.^[3] Moreover, many political, social and art ideas are created or tested in Bandung before they are applied in Jakarta. Arief Budiman, as cited by Raillon (Ibid,:26), points out, “There is a tradition in Jakarta, that if we are dissappointed with the students’ behaviour in Jakarta, we always turn to Bandung”. Bandung became a city that complemented the national capital, Jakarta as “the political force” and Bandung as the “moral force”. Budiman further says:

In the 1970s, Bandung became a center of attention not only at the national but also at the international level,^[4] when student Islamic activities at Salman Mosque of ITB developed rapidly and provided a model of Islamic activities in university campuses throughout Indonesia.