TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Islamic Defender Front leader (FPI) Rizieq Syihab is reported will return to Indonesia at the 17th day of Ramadan or June 12. However, Rizieq’s lawyer Kapitra Ampera did not confirm the news. Instead, he shown a pamphlet on a call to anticipating the 17th day of Ramadan.
The pamphlet mentioned that a lot of important events in Islamic history happened on Ramadan 17, such as the Battle of Badr, the Liberation of Mecca, the Liberation of Andalusia (Spain), the Proclamation of Indonesia's Independence Day, etc. It also stated that it is awaiting for the upcoming Ramadan 17 (this year).
On the other hand, the FPI spokesman Slamet Maarif confirmed that Rizieq will come back to Indonesia on Ramadan 17.
“He will possibly be home on Ramadan 17,” he told Tempo through a text message on Saturday, June 3.
Slamet admitted that he did not know why Rizieq chose to return home on that day. FPI has yet to decide what to do to welcome the leader. “We’re discussing the welcoming process”, he said.
Police has named Rizieq as a suspect in pornography case over a steamy WhatsApp chat between himself and Firza Husein.
The Police cannot yet questioning Rizieq since he had gone abroad before his naming as a suspect. Metro Jaya Police has put his name into the most wanted list and the institution is coordinating with the Interpol to capture the FPI leader.
AHMAD FAIZ