Densus 88 Educates 1,700 UIN Palembang Students on Radicalism

The National Police Counter-Terrorism Squad (Densus 88 AT) South Sumatra Regional Task Force has provided education on preventing intolerance, radicalism, extremism, and terrorism (IRET) to 1,700 new students at the Raden Fatah State Islamic University (UIN) Palembang.

Speaking in Palembang on Wednesday, the Densus 88 AT Polri team coordinator, Briptu Achmad Nur Rohman, stated that current developments in information technology have shifted radicalisation patterns from physical spaces to the digital world. Social media has become the primary medium for spreading propaganda, hoaxes, and extremist ideologies targeting vulnerable groups.

“Students must become active agents of change in maintaining unity, increasing digital literacy, and applying the ‘Stop, Check, Think, Share’ principle before disseminating information,” said Rohman.

Meanwhile, Densus 88 AT Polri speaker Briptu M. Farhan emphasised the importance of moderate religious understanding by distinguishing between ‘ushul’ (fundamental religious principles) and ‘furu’ (subsidiary religious matters). According to him, misunderstandings regarding differences of opinion in ‘furu’ matters often serve as an entry point for radical and intolerant attitudes.

“Radicalism often emerges when differences of opinion in matters of jurisprudence (fiqh) are handled rigidly, leading to mutual accusations of apostasy. In reality, there is no denial permitted in matters of ijtihad (independent legal reasoning),” said Farhan.

The Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training (FTIK) Deanery at UIN Raden Fatah Palembang welcomed the provision of nationalistic and religious materials. This step is considered a strategic move to fortify new students against the threat of extremist ideologies from the very beginning of their university studies.