RADICALISM IS NOW THRIVING?

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, April 26 (ANTARA) - Fears of growing religious radicalism are once again coming up to the surface in recent days following a suicide-bomb explosion in Cirebon and several parcel bomb cases in Jakarta.          While security officers have arrested and are questioning at least 20 suspects, religious figures expressed concerns that religious radicalism had reached an alarming level. Unfavorable social and economic conditions gave a chance to radical groups or hardliners to exert influence and instill doctrines to younger generations.          Din Syamsuddin, general chairman of the Indonesian second largest Muslim organization Muhammadiyah, said that radical teaching has developed among younger generations not only because of wrong perception on religion but also of  external religious factors such as social, economic and political factors.          Din Syamsuddin's opinion was shared by DR Musni Umar, a sociologist of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN). He said that many graduates of religious institutions failed to find jobs at institutions other then the Ministry of Religious Affairs.          This social economic condition gives a chance to radical groups to embrace them. "So far, no one has provided guidance, developed and used them so that radical groups have a chance to instill their jihad and radical doctrines," Musni Umar said.          Sociologist Arie Sujito of the Gajah Mada University in Yogyakarta said meanwhile that students and younger generations could be trapped into radical movements as a result of their asocial attitude whereby their rationality and critical awareness did not work.          "Younger generations became the target of radical groups because they are considered to be in the process and phase of finding and forming identities where militant doctrine and attitude could easily be instilled," Arie said.          The dysfunctions of rational thoughts and critical awareness in the mind of younger generations caused the doctrines which negate realities could be implanted easily, including sectarian doctrines.          This could be worsened if students became isolated from critical social community in their campus. "They became asocial and tended to be trapped in the hedonistic circle outside the habitat of productive students," he said.          These conditions provide a chance for hardliners to recruit terror cadres, who sowed threats of terror in various corners of the country. The increase in the number of bomb terrors and hardliners of late creates fears and concern among the public.          "It is not only threatening public security but also Islam and the state," Hasyim Muzadi, the former chief of one of Indonesia's largest Islamic organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), said.          The noted Islamic figure voiced concern over the fact that radicalism in certain religious movements had now reached a dangerous level requiring serious handling by the government.          He said de-radicalization efforts were urgently needed and must be seriously carried out while the victims of indoctrination by radical movements had to be rehabilitated. A curriculum for the rehabilitation and training programs had to be made ready especially the one that teaches on state-religion relationship and Pancasila as well as therapy programs for the brainwashing victims.          "Priority must be given to victims of radical doctrines while the campaigners and designers must first be legally processed," he said. If the program is proven successful it could then be implemented in other Islamic boarding schools.          According to Dr Musni Umar, the Ministry of Religious Affairs must serve as the front guard in offsetting religious radicalism. "The ministry of religious affairs should serve as a team leader in the front guard to develop the people's horizons, tolerance and peace loving attitude,"  he said  on Tuesday.          He said that the ministry of religious affairs which controlled networks up to the subdistrict level throughout the country could offset rising radicalism through religious campaigns. In order to carry out such a function the ministry of religious affairs must be equipped with a regulation so that it could perform two jobs, namely  as an agent to serve the government and as an agent to provide enlightenment to the people.          "If the ministry of religious affairs carries out these two functions plus an integrated effort with the relevant institutions to empower the people's social economy, radicalism would hopefully be overcome," he said.          No matter what means will be used, Hasyim Muzadi called on the government to carry out comprehensive handling of radicalism. "The government should not only deal with its political interest enemies but also with the enemies of the state," he said.          More importantly, any seeds of terror should be fought and rooted out, such as  the NII (Indonesia Islamic State) Movement.          According to Din Syamsuddin, the government should solve the problem of the NII   so that it would not thrive and harm the state interest. "Virtually, the NII Movement is an old movement but the government since its presence did not settle it completely," he said.          He said that the NII Movement which has affected younger generations should awaken the government on the need to eliminate it or liquidate it. "After all, Islamic organizations in Indonesia felt themselves that they had to do something to protect Muslims from being influenced with its teaching," the Muhammadiyah chairman said.         "Even, they will use religion as a means of justification. Therefore, the way out  the government should use is to fight  its main roots," he said.***3*** (T.A014/A/HAJM/21:05/a014)26-04-2011 21:09