IPNU Forms schoolers deradicalization task force

Jakarta, NU Online
The Nahdlatul Ulama schoolers organization (IPNU) has formed a student deradicalization task force that will handle religious studies at school prayer houses and mosques throughout Indonesia, a spokesman said.

"We are appalled by the extent radicalism has spread among school students and is turning them into potential terorists," Abdul Idris Wahid, IPNU's deputy secretary general, said here recently.<<>br />
The government, in this case the national education ministry, seemed to turn a blind eye to the threat of radicalization of school students, he said.

"Yet we have for a long time been advising the national educaion ministry to be alert to the threat posed by the radicalization among school students, especially through the extra-curicular activity called Rohis (Islamic religious comprehension), he said.

Idris said the formation of IPNU's deradicaliztion task force would be officially announced at the peak of celebrations of IPNU`s 59th anniversary next May 27 in Jakarta.

IPNU would also carry out a program to open "peace corners" featuring books on the correct interpretation of Islamic teachings at schools in regions prone to religious radicalization.

IPNU planned to make its 59th anniversary celebration a momentum to declare war on terrrorism and radicalization among school students, he was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.

The association had also decided to encourage various government ministries to cooperate with the National Terrorism Eradication Agency (BNPT) and the National Police in efforts to fight terrorism, Idris said.

He noted the BNPT which was established in 2010 had so far not been able to achieve much as it was still trying to find an effective way to perform its mission. (dar)