Cece seeks heaven through 'jihad'

Cece seeks heaven through 'jihad'

JAKARTA (JP): People may find it hard to believe that a youth,
who still has a bright future, sacrifices himself for his
personal religious belief.

Cece Amin, a youth in his twenties, quit his job at a paper
factory in Tungkal, Jambi, last month, after deciding to
participate in the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah Muslim organization's
campaign to help settle the prolonged communal clashes in Maluku
that the government has been unable to resolve.

"I have been disturbed over the religious conflict in Maluku
where many of my Muslim brothers were killed," he told The
Jakarta Post.

Maluku has been engulfed by religious conflict since early
1999, resulting in the deaths of thousands.

The conflict is not over yet, as three more people were
recently killed in North Maluku.

Student and Muslim organizations, including the Ahlus Sunnah
wal Jama'ah, have aired their concerns over the government's
sluggish moves to resolve the conflicts. The organization has
announced it is ready to send its "troops" to the riot-torn
areas.

The organization staged a rally on Thursday at the Senayan
Sports Stadium and the State Palace, both in Central Jakarta,
demanding the government immediately resolve the conflicts.

Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah, an Islamic sect that has a large
worldwide membership, claims to have thousands of members
throughout Indonesia.

Cece is one of some 10,000 youths, who have declared their
readiness to be sent to the trouble spots in Maluku at the end of
this month. The sending of "troops" will be arranged by the
organization.

After quitting his job, Cece went to Yogyakarta to apply for
membership at the organization secretariat in Kaliurang.

Clad in the white dress and sandals of a Muslim, Cece was seen
carrying a big bag, apparently containing clothes and other
personal stuff, in Thursday's rally.

A machete bearing his name "Cece Amin, Jambi", lay on the
bench where he was sitting.

"Life in this world is transitory. We'll meet eternity after
judgment day. I hope that I can find peace after judgment day. I
am preparing for that now," he said with a steady gesture.

However, no expressions of violence or antipathy were seen on
his face.

Some Muslims believe that participation in jihad (holy war) is
instructed by God. They believe that once Islam is facing
threats, they will be ready to confront the dangers.

However, the majority of Muslims now have a different
perception of jihad, the term introduced by prophet Muhammad to
Muslims to defend themselves against threats of war by jahiliyah
(bad people). They perceive combating corruption and collusive
practices, and hard work to pursue good economic status also as
jihad.

Cece is scheduled to conduct military training in Bogor, some
60 kilometers south of here, before going to Maluku on April 21.

"I was told by a committee member that we will be trained and
wear military style clothes," he said.

He is one of other Muslim youths who have the same beliefs.

"Three thousand youths will be sent to Maluku on April 21. The
remaining 7,000 will be sent there the following day," Heri
Ashari Azis, another member of the organization, said.

The brief talk with Cece ended as a youth shouted at Cece's
group, ordering them to get on a bus that would leave for Bogor.

Cece shook the Post's reporter's hand warmly, said
"Assalammu'allaikum" (Peace be unto you), and left the scene.
(asa)