NU, BNPT expand ulema horizons on Islamic movements

Jakarta, NU Online
Around 400 ulema from Java and Sumatra have joined a workshop to improve their knowledge of the Islamic movements that have blossomed in the country.<>

Initiated by the country’s largest Muslim organization, Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), and the Indonesian National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), the three-day meeting that will end today is being held at the Al Hikam Islamic Boarding School in Depok, West Java.

Participants are sharing information and knowledge on terrorism issues in the meeting and are gaining knowledge of the roots of terrorism.

After the forum, it is expected that the ulemas would join a nation-wide effort to eradicate terrorism.

NU cleric and former general chairman KH Hasyim Muzadi, who hosts the forum, said it is important for NU followers to gather more information about terrorism and radical Islamic sects so that they could help find a solution and would be able to shield the country from the
terrorist threat.

“Terrorism is our problem and instead of avoiding terrorism, it’s better to learn about it,” Hasyim said on Saturday.

The country’s former vice presidential candidate said that ulemas have an important role to play in counterterrorism efforts, as acts of terrorism spring from misguided Islamic teachings within radical groups.

“[Access to information in] Indonesia has been wide open since the reform era. Now it is very easy for ideology, culture and economic entities to enter Indonesia. Previously, Indonesia only knew NU and Muhammadiyah. But now, many kinds of foreign mindsets have been accessible in the country,” said Hasyim.

After the reform era, a passage marked by the downfall of the Soeharto regime, he said various Islamic teachings from the Middle East, like Salafism, Wahhabism, Ikhwanul Muslimin and Shia, have gained many followers.

“The challenge for NU is how to provide solutions for the problem, instead of becoming part of the problem,” Hasyim said, calling on the participants to avoid any terrorism movements.

In the meeting, the participants also attend sessions to improve their knowledge of the various Islamic movements.

They also get updates on the movements’ developments in Indonesia, as well as on the groups that have been involved in terrorism.

BNPT chief Saud Usman conveyed encouragement in the workshop, saying terrorism still existed in Indonesia and the BNPT needed many parties to work hand in hand.

“Although there are no attacks, but we believe terrorism is still a serious threat,” he said, adding that radicalism would continue as long as the perpetrators could not fulfill their aim of establishing an Islamic state.

However, he acknowledged that the number of attacks had declined recently.

“People are now more aware of terrorism and they are very careful about joining radical movements. Besides, we believe good cooperation exists between community and neighborhood units to take persuasive action if it is necessary,” Saud said.

He informed the ulemas that many youngsters were interested in terrorist acts.

“We noted that there were 13 teenagers involved as suicide bombers from 1999 to 2014,” Saud said.

National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Lt. Gen. Marciano Norman said that terrorist acts in Indonesia were organized in guerrilla groups in order to avoid security investigations.

He said that the new strategy in counterterrorism required more cooperation with people, and BIN encouraged ulemas to work together for this issue.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq