JI and terrorism

JI and terrorism

From Forum

The controversy over Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) has arisen since JI was linked with the Aug. Marriott Hotel bombing in Jakarta, which claimed dozens of victims. The Aug. 17, 2003 edition of Forum Keadilan contains two important points, namely the meaning of JI and the view of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) that JI has never existed as an organization.

According to the magazine, jamaah literally means a group of believers performing religious duties together, so it does not mean a group of terrorists. Jamaah Islamiyah, therefore, literally means a group of Muslims, just like the Muslim community in Indonesia.

If the U.S. and some of the Indonesian police give JI the image of a terrorist organization image, they certainly have a different reason and purpose for this.

Now, the important thing is to demonstrate that Islam is a religion of peace and to popularize the true meaning of JI among Muslims through MUI, religious leaders and various other religious gatherings. This is because the continuous propaganda against Muslims as terrorists will some day be considered the truth.

Meanwhile, suicide bombings against American interests in Indonesia are not appropriate, because America is not directly involved in any war in this country. The same goes for the Palestinian bombings for liberation, which can be justified for their lack of weapons and their war on Israel's occupation.

WELANG BOHARI, Pangkep, South Sulawesi