NU young cadres told to fight against radicalism

Jakarta, NU Online
Vice Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) KH As'ad Said Ali said that NU must always contribute to this republic, especially in dealing any possible threat posed by radical extremism.<>

"Indonesia is our country," As'ad said at a workshop taking up issues on strengthening counter-terrorism networks in cyberspace for young Muslim scholars (ulema), held at the Jakarta's Acacia Hotel on Monday (15/6).

In the workshop, As'ad said he was proud to have the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) and the State Intelligence Agency (BIN).

"We are opposed to terrorists! You are the commander, you need to fight against them. if NU is destroyed the Homeland is destroyed, and vice versa," he said at the meeting attended by dozens of young Muslim scholars from various regions in Indonesia.

If we dream, As'ad motivated, "then it will become a reality."

"Jihad in contemporary times is not willing to die in the way of Allah, but willing to live in the way of Allah," he said.

According to As'ad Indonesia is the only one in the world being capable of harmonizing  Islam with a moderate state. Gambling, for example, is forbidden in Islam. In Indonesia, it is also the same, it is forbidden, the rules are applied. That means Islamic law is accepted in Indonesia.

While the BNPT's Principal Secretary Major General Abdul Rahman Kadir said the state and NU must be present for countering radicalism.

"Most of those involved in radicalism are young people. they learned from the Internet," he said, adding that the young people had gotten no worthwhile knowledge from religion but incitement and hatred.

BNPT, he said, was glad to have a friend in confronting radicalism.

"The state must be present to confront radicalism. And that makes proud for BNPT is not alone. Tonight we feel NU is in the same breath in building anti-radicalism communication and network," he said.

According to Kadir, the NU young cadres are the real generation of Indonesia and have responsibility to keep the Homeland in tackling radicalism.

"NU ulema have contributed to Indonesia. Let's curb the flow of radicalism. The NU young ulema should provide the national insights in addition spreading Islam Rahmatan lil 'Alamin," he said. 

The workshop was held due to the collaboration netween NU and BNPT and even the two parties have so far cooperated in dealing with both terrorism and radicalism.

Last year for example, around 400 ulema from Java and Sumatra have joined a workshop  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 chairman 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.

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. (masdar)