After ISIS terrorist attacks in Paris, Indonesian officials were invited to intensify the fight against terrorism the nation measures, the country remains in danger .
The wreath laid by the French Foreign Minister in Paris | Photo courtesy Wikimedia
countries The recent terrorist attacks in Paris, for which the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claimed, has made the world on alert. The incidents highlight some all-too-real dangers of militant group poses, especially for those who do not live in the Middle East.
with a number of Indonesian officials join would ISIS just weeks before the attacks of Paris, and a recent ISIS threat to Singapore neighbor, the most populous Muslim country in the world is seriously wonder if people are away from the ISIS ideology and brutal attacks.
There are a harsh reality, but despite being generally regarded as a moderate Muslim nation, Indonesia can certainly be considered a fertile ground for the spread of the ideology ISIS. Earlier this year, the Indonesian police confirmed 159 local citizens have left the country to join the group, also known as ISIL or IS. The actual number could be much higher, with officials estimating that more than 500 Indonesians entered Syria to establish links with ISIS.
According to the Institute for Policy Analysis and Conflict (IPAC), the call to join ISIS comes down to a few different factors.
In her academic report in September 2014 entitled ISIS Evolution Indonesia , IPAC wrote: " The ISIS call is different, [it’s] a combination of prophecies involving religious Syam (greater Syria); [a] series of victories in Iraq in June that gave meaning to support a winner; the resonance of the concept of the Caliphate; and the sophisticated use of social media by ISIS. "
For those who are unfamiliar, a Caliphate is an Islamic government as directed by a person considered as a political and religious successor to the Islamic prophet, Muhammad.
Islamic prophecies and dreams of Caliphate
Islamic prophecies related to Syria have been well documented. A number of "Hadith" (reports of acts, teachings and sayings of prophet Muhammad) warn of a war between an Islamic army and an "infidel horde" in Syria, which is considered one of the signs of the end of the world the battle, which is called the "Malahim." - equivalent at Armageddon in Christian teachings. - Will be won by the Muslims, according to the hadiths
is the conviction for the fulfillment of this prophecy that feeds Jihadis to take part in the war in Syria . for them to be able to fight in the great battle promised by the prophet there some 1,300 years is a privilege and an honor.
There is also the widespread desire by many Muslims to establish a true Islamic state, in which the full Islamic law is applied in the direction of a Khalifah (leader of a Caliphate). Indonesia is home to many Islamic groups and organizations that call for the unity of Muslims to form a caliphate.
However, it is important to note that all these organizations employ or tolerate violence in an effort to achieve their goal. The organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is probably the strongest militant for a caliphate in Indonesia, for example, focuses on creating a community support mass and has never advocated violence.
reportsIPAC between July and August last year, the allegiance ceremonies were held in a number of cities across Indonesia, where an estimated . of 2,000 people swore an oath to support the concept of a caliphate. Although the vast majority of those in 2000 will not have an interest in violence, the report says the figures "are an indication of the appeal that the idea of ​​a Caliphate can generate a devotee in public" as the Indonesia.
extended jihadist networks, but disjoint
The anti-terrorist police in Indonesia, Den88 or Detachment88
In in late January, the National Police confirmed 16 Indonesians were arrested in Turkey for trying to cross the border into Syria. Director of IPAC, Sidney Jones, said were linked to local terrorist groups the 16 Indonesians. She added that almost all Indonesians flying to Syria to support ISIS tend to be linked to existing jihadist networks at home in Indonesia.
Jones specifically cites two of the four Indonesian women prisoners in Turkey, which have proven to be sisters-in-law. The two women husbands are members of a jihadist network. We took part in plotting a terrorist attack in Bali, while the other fought and was killed in Syria.
The jihadist networks, she adds, are vast, ranging from west to east Indonesia and made their way through various Islamic groups and organizations. The ubiquitous nature of these networks, it is difficult for the police to track down and arrest them.
A positive phenomenon from the police point of view, is the fact that radical groups are divided in their attitude towards ISIS, giving some support and some not. According to police, which actually weakened local jihadist groups.
The jihadist groups in Indonesia are divided on the doctrinal question of whether the security forces of a State idolater could be condemned as "Kafir" (unbelievers) institutionally, or if they should be judged as individuals. Some groups believe all opposing forces must be considered as non-believers, whose property is to be seized or their blood, while others maintain the belief that this should not be applied to everyone.
Notorious extremist group Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT), led by firebrand cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, was divided internally because of the dispute. Ba'asyir had promised his allegiance to ISIS leader al-Baghdadi, then asked all JAT members to support its decision or leave the group. This prompted a number of JAT members, including Ba'asyir's own son, Abdurrahim to form a new organization called Jamaah Ansyarusy Syariah.
could strike ISIS in Indonesia?
Sidney Jones, director of the Institute for Policy Analysis of conflicts in Jakarta
Although ISIS lessons were well welcomed by some groups in Indonesia, Jones told foreign journalists in Jakarta recently that a coordinated attack across the strike of Paris is very unlikely in Indonesia. This is partly because the ISIS center is not interested in South Asian countries, which are not considered as an enemy or a threat to the Islamic state.
Earlier this year, however, ISIS named Singapore as a possible target for the attack, according to a report by S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. The report suggests the ISIS threat in Singapore and the countries of Southeast Asia in general is bound to increase, following growth Katibah Nusantara, an ISIS fighting unit consisting of South Asian Affairs who find it easier to communicate in Bahasa indonesia and Malay, rather than Arabic.
Taufik Andrie Institute for International peace-building, a struggle against the Indonesian terrorism think tank, said the region, including Indonesia, should not overreacting to the threat , as Katibah Nusantara unit is currently only focused on fighting battles in Syria and Iraq.
However, once the fighters return to their respective countries, the situation could easily change. "If there is a wave of ISIS affiliated return Katibah Nusantara [fighters], then Indonesia must be on alert because they could carry out terrorist actions on the floor of the house," said Andrie local media output Republika .
The attacks on Indonesian soil may also be invited by the emission of certain regulations Jihadis and radical groups.
The idea to impose travel bans to areas of conflict, for example, could prove to be a problem. Theoretically, this could encourage Jihadis, who set their sights on the fighting in the Middle East to launch a local attack of frustration.
It's now or never for local authorities
The government must be extremely careful in setting regulations to prevent against ISIS-productivity. However, the realistic ISIS regulations were hard to find, as its existence in Indonesia is just as ideology, which is naturally difficult to regulate and criminalize.
In August last year, Indonesia said it had officially banned ISIS in the country. However, no further action was taken by the legislature following the ban. "Our bill today does not cover, prevent or investigate ISIS support," said the inspector general police, Tito Karnavian.
Analysts say Indonesia needs a number of tougher laws to uphold its commitment to ban ISIS, that existing laws make it hard for authorities to engage criminal proceedings against Indonesian ISIS sympathizers.
The former minister in charge of security Tedjo Edhy Purdjiatno said 16 Indonesians detained in Turkey would probably escape charges when they return home, because none of them are actually considered criminals in the eyes local law. Local law against terrorism can not be applied to these people, that Indonesia has not officially declared a terrorist organization ISIS.
Similarly, five suspected militants ISIS recently arrested are likely to be charged for other crimes, but not for the recruitment of Indonesians to join ISIS, said Purdjiatno.
To fight against the spread of ISIS in Indonesia, police say they will need the legal authority to stop such actions as verbal support for ISIS, traveling abroad to support terrorist groups and the spread of terrorist ideology in the archipelago.