TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - General Secretary at Central Muhammadiyah, Abdul Muti, stated that associating Wahhabism with terrorism is no longer relevant since
radicalism is not exclusively related to a religious aspect.

“There’s an old analysis that I think isn’t relevant anymore, which is [relating] Wahhabism for a theological justification [in blaming it] as the roots of terrorism and radicalism,” Mu’ti said on Wednesday, March 1, 2017.

Therefore, Mu’ti explains that there is nothing to fear about Wahhabi that is often associated with Saudi Arabia. Moreover, its leader King Salman is currently visiting Indonesia. “This is essential since there are accusations that connect terrorism with Salafism and Wahhabism,” he explained.

There are a number of factors, according to Mu’ti, that spark the emergence of radicalism and terrorism. The elements are so broad that it cannot only be pinpointed to theology alone. Social, political, and financial factors must be taken into consideration before blaming it on theology aspect.

The elements outside of theology, Mu’ti says, are actually the strongest factors that can spark radicalism and terrorism. Such as economic imbalances and poverty that could lead someone into the path of despair which can lead them into taking desperate measures, including radicalism.

“Actually, it's the non-theological factors or outside religion, such as social, political, and economy, that has a huge influence in driving an individual or group to the path of radicalism,” Mu’ti explained.

ANTARA