Books on radical Islam reflect diversity

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The size of the book store at the Paramadina Foundation office in Pondok Indah Plaza III, South Jakarta, is deceptive.

The four-by-four square meter store looks too small to accommodate the diverse ideas of the many Muslim intellectuals shelved there, including the late Nurcholish Madjid -- the co-founder of the foundation.

The latest book launched by the foundation on Dec. 17, is a compilation of articles from many figures on how they see Nurcholish.

The foundation first came to prominence a few years ago, publishing books on Islam and modern thought. Today, however, the publishing unit of the foundation is struggling to survive.

Secretary Usep Fathudin said the office was suffering from budget constraints.

"We used to publish between six to eight books a year. Now, we .. are consolidating," he told The Jakarta Post recently.

Among the books published by Paramadina are Islam dan Peradaban (Islam and Civilization), Pintu-Pintu Menuju Tuhan (Gateways to God), Fiqih Lintas Agama : Membangun Masyarakat Inklusif-Pluralis (The Inter-Religious Principle: Building an Inclusive-Pluralistic Society) and Ensiklopedi Al-Qur'an : Tafsir Sosial Berdasarkan Konsep-Konsep Kunci (The Encyclopedia of the Koran: Social Interpretation Based on Key Concepts).

While Paramadina publication activities have dropped off, more hard-line publishers are proving increasingly popular.

Surakarta-based publisher Jazeera's book by Imam Samudra titled Aku Melawan Teroris (I am Against Terrorists). The 280- page book tells the life of Imam Samudra alias Adul Aziz alias Qudama. It portrays Imam as a pious and good person.

When it comes to the relations between Islam and the West, however, Imam does not compromise.

On the acknowledgements page, Imam Samudra called on young Muslims to gain expertise in computer hacking and Islamic teachings. Expertise in bombing, fighting and killing was needed for the holy war.

A local daily newspaper Suara Merdeka reported that 5,000 copies of the book sold in two weeks.

Another book written to counter Imam Samudra's thinking, Sebuah Tinjauan Syariat, Mereka Adalah Teroris! (A Study of Islamic Law, They are Terrorists!) was published by Qaulan Sadida in Malang, East Java. Written by a Muslim preacher Luqman bin Muhammad Ba'abduh, the book shows how Imam Samudra has twisted certain facts and the advice of ulema.

Meanwhile, Nasir Abbas, a former instructor in the Jamaah Islamiyah group, also wrote Membongkar Jamaah Islamiyah (Dismantling Jamaah Islamiyah).

The 332-page book published by Grafindo Khazanah Ilmu Jakarta, looks at the history of Jamaah Islamiyah and how its members received paramilitary training. Nasir argues that the group's violent teachings are contrary to the true spirit of jihad in Islam.

Asked if he objected to any of the radical ideas in some of these books, Usep said he believed people should be free to publish books without fear of banning.

"Of course, not all of those ideas are acceptable (to everyone). Let the public judge and make their choice," he said.

There was no need to worry about the publication of radical titles because the public was maturing becoming increasingly educated, he said.

Haidar Bagir, the president director of Mizan, the country's largest publisher of Islamic books, said his company had no interest in publishing books about terrorism or extremism, no matter how much money could be made.

Haidar said the Bandung-based Mizan was created to publish Islamic books which were dialectic, analytical, objective and scientific.

"However, we have also published popular books. The ratio of Islamic and popular books is 60:40," he said.

Mizan publishes books that support moderate Islamic thought, scientific arguments, objectivity and attempt to avoid bias.

Haidar said, however, that Mizan would be ready to publish books on the phenomenon of terrorism based on objective and scientific argument.

"That kind of book would be meaningful, either for the expert or for the public," he said.

While provocative books sold more, Haidar said despite the moderate thought promoted by Mizan books, they still sold well -- and the organization had experience 35 percent growth in during the past four years.

"There is an increasing demand for books, either on Islam or on popular issues. On average, Mizan published 60 titles a month in 2005," Haidar said.

Muslim scholar Komaruddin Hidayat said that it was wrong to prevent the publication of "provocative" books, such as the one by Imam Samudra, in an era of democracy.

"The pluralism of ideas should not be prevented. The more educated the society, the greater their willingness to see various ideas. I hope the public will become more critical," said Komaruddin, director of the post-graduate program at the Syarif Hidayatullah University (UIN).

He called on educated and influential Muslim leaders to talk to the public about such books, to encourage moderate, sensible views.

"There needs to be a proper explanation, otherwise there will be conflict caused by different perceptions," he said.

Sidebar

Some books on terrorism

As government cracks down on terrorism and the public worries about attacks, books by and about terrorists have become increasingly vogue.

Some provide the public with valuable information on Jamaah Islamiyah, the organization blamed for a string of bomb attacks in the country.

Membongkar Jamaah Islamiyah: Pengakuan Mantan Anggota JI (Dismantling Jamaah Islamiyah: Confession of Ex- JI Member) was released in July.

Written by Nasir Abas, a former member of Jamaah Islamiyah (JI), which is blamed for a string of bomb attacks across the country, the book is intended to counter Aku Melawan Teroris (I am Against Terrorists) by Imam Samudra, a convicted Bali bomber.

Aku Melawan Teroris was released in September last year.

Nasir Abas is the former JI commander responsible for Sabah (Malaysia), Mindanao (Philippines) and Poso (Indonesia).

In his book, Nasir writes of his interactions with fellow JI members, many of whom were involved in the Bali bombing. According to Nasir, JI members first received military training and learned bomb assembling skills in Afghanistan in 1987.

He said he hoped his book would help his friends at JI end their violence.

Nasir's sister, Paridah Abas who is the wife of Mukhlas, another Bali bomber, has also written a book -- Orang Bilang Ayah Teroris (People Say Father is a Terrorist).

It describes how Paridah has single-handedly taken care of her six children since Mukhlas was jailed.