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NU Group Backs Fatwa, Modern War Too Complex for Nations Jihadis
A think tank linked to the East Java branch of Nahdlatul Ulama has rejected suggestions that the organizations fatwa, or religious decree, banning Indonesians from fighting alongside Palestinians in Gaza could be perceived by other Islamic groups as cowardly.Theyre welcome to think of this fatwa as cowardly, said Imam Syuhada, the secretary of Lembaga Bahtsul Masail. We are only thinking about the interests of the Muslim community. NUs efforts to achieve settlement for Palestinians have so far consisted of encouraging diplomatic efforts in international forums rather than endorsing a call to arms. That approach stands in contrast to the popular, if somewhat empty, rallying cry among a number of Islamic groups in Indonesia. Imam said it is the duty of Muslims to defend adherents of the same faith, but that duty does not apply to Indonesians who may have courage but lack the required skills to engage in combat. This war is obviously different from the wars in the times of Prophet Muhammad, when troops still engaged the conventional way, brandishing swords and riding horses, he said. In such a war, physical reinforcements were indeed necessary. Times have changed, Imam said, and the advanced technology and strategy of modern warfare means sending untrained combatants into harms way would do more damage than good. Our people have hardly ever seen a missile, he said. Feel free to engage in jihad when you have the skills and the states permission. Otherwise, it would be better to contribute money to buy medicine or ammunition, Imam said. Doctors, on the other hand, are encouraged to go, he said. Din Syamsuddin, the chairman of Muhammadiyah, Indonesias second largest Muslim organization after NU, said that it would not issue a similar fatwa, saying a decision to enter the conflict zone was a personal one. The organization has not issued an official stance, he said. There is no need to overreact. However, he said if some followers decided to enter the combat zone, Muhammadiyah would not hold them back. But I dont have enough confidence that they would make it, he said. There are many things to prepare, including adequate funds, permission and many other things. Posted by: tipper 2009-01-22 |
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