FPI begins jihad committee

JAKARTA: The Islam Defenders Front (FPI) began forming a Jihad committee for the Freedom of Al-Aqsa and Palestine on Monday at its headquarter on Jl. Petamburan III, Central Jakarta.

The committee is aimed at gathering soldiers and funds to help Palestinians in fighting Israeli soldiers.

FPI chief of staff Reza Pahlevi said some 8,500 men had volunteered since the opening of the registration on April 3. They come from various provinces including Lampung, Banten, Central and East Java, South Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara.

FPI will need Rp 64 billion (US$6.4 million) to give them military training in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya and Sudan before sending them to the conflict zone.

Several prominent figures in Islamic organizations including legislator Achmad Sumargono and Laskar Jihad chairman Jaffar Umar Thalib also attended Monday's event. -- JP