Minister Calls On Islamic Organizations, Figures to Battle ISIS  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Syaifuddin at the office of the Directorate General of People’s Counseling of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Central Jakarta, invited several Islamic community organizations and strategic institutions in a meeting aimed at finding ways to prevent the spreading of propaganda of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The meeting was held to respond to the danger of radicalism of ISIS that has spread in Indonesia.

"This is a measure to curb the spread of supports and sympathy to ISIS that can damage the society and the country," Lukman said yesterday.

Islamic community organizations, religious figures, and clerics play a vital role in preventing the spread of ISIS teachings. And the meeting was expected to reach a similar perception of ways to prevent and deal with the spread of its teachings.

"The Ministry of Religious Affairs is not in the capacity to issue a fatwa declaring that ISIS is against Islam. However, the ministry is obliged to take preventive measures," he said, adding that ISIS is a radical organization and is against the notion that Islam is a religion of peace, a rahmatan lil alamin (a blessing for the universe).

The invitees taking part in the meeting include Chairman of Muhammadiyah, who is also the Chairman of the Indonesia Ulema Council Din Syamsuddin, Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council, and Said Aqil Siradj, Chairman of Indonesia's largest Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU).

In the meantime, representatives from several strategic institution including Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT)  Ansyad Mbai, Chairman of the Indonesian Police General Sutarman, and Head of the Bureau of Public Information of the Indonesian Police Boy Rafli Amar were also present.

ISIS began to spread in Indonesia in July and most recently, a YouTube video went viral, containing calls to join ISIS.

In several regions, some people have also been reported to have pledged the ba’iat (oath of allegiance) to ISIS.

Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, a terrorism convict who is now imprisoned in Nusakambangan, has also reportedly made around 20 inmates pledge the ba’iat to ISIS.

LINDA TRIANITA