Realities of jihad in Palestine

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has made a statement that fighting against Israel's tyranny is jihad fi sabillilah (holy war on the way of God). But should Indonesian Muslims throng to Palestine to fight along with Palestinians against Israelis? If they do so, they engage in a real holy war by sacrificing their property, materials and even their soul.

It is understandable, therefore, that many Islamic organizations have urged the government not to ban Indonesian Muslims from engaging in a holy war in the area where the Al- Aqsha Mosque is located.

However, it is technically not an easy task to get to Palestine for jihad as that region is very far away from Indonesia.

They should also be made aware that their machetes, bayonets, arrows and other traditional weapons cannot be used with any effectiveness in the war against the Israelis' sophisticated, high-tech weaponry.

Observing the great difficulty in launching jihad against Israelis in Palestine and realizing the minute opportunities to leave for that war-torn region, we should use logic in the holy war against Israelis. We agree that fighting against Israel's tyranny is the obligation of every Muslim. But the spirit of fulfilling the obligation must be based on the potential for some kind of success or actual ability to assist the Palestinians.

-- Pikiran Rakyat, Bandung