Indonesians Trapped in Marawi Aim at Spreading Islamic Teachings
2 June 2017 17:02 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir said that 17 Indonesians trapped in Marawi, Philippines, are members of a religious congregation to spread Islam in the country.
“Their mission is to go from one mosque to another to spread Islamic teachings,” Arrmanatha said at his office in Jakarta on Friday, June 2, 2017.
Read: 17 Indonesians Evacuated from Marawi
According to Arrmanatha, they obtained a permit to conduct their activities from the authorities in Marawi. However, the Indonesian nationals are currently trapped in a conflict that broke out in Marawi between the Philippine Military and an armed group. They were identified as Indonesian nationals based on their passports.
Arrmanatha pointed out that the government has initiated an effort to evacuate the 17 Indonesians. He revealed that the 17 Indonesians will be returning home on Saturday, June 3, 2017. The evacuation was a result of cooperation between the Indonesian Embassy in Manila, the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao and the Philippine authorities.
He could not confirm whether the 17 Indonesians will undergo a psychological examination to anticipate the impact of the conflict on them. Arrmanatha claimed that the 17 Indonesians are in good conditions.
DANANG FIRMANTO