 SOLO: Indonesian hardline cleric Abu Bakar Bashir told a Muslim congregation on Friday, two days after his release from jail, to fight for Islam and ignore criticism branding those involved in the struggle as terrorists. Bashir, who Western and regional intelligence officials say was once spiritual leader of the Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah militant network, was freed on Wednesday after serving time over the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people.
In a Friday sermon at the Al-Mukmin Islamic school he co-founded, the 67-year old cleric told students and sympathisers the movement to spread Islam to the world is a costly campaign. Bashir said being called “terrorists” or “hardliners” during the struggle was a light price to pay. “The Prophet was accused of being crazy. The infidels have not yet accused us of being crazy.
| I thought we'd already made that observation? |
| I don't think he's crazy, I think he's evil. |
"I was accused as a terrorist but they said I was still sound,” he said, referring to the obstacles Prophet Mohammad (PTUI PBUH) faced when introducing Islam in the 7th century. “Do not hesitate in maintaining the faith until death. The form is through jihad whether defined as struggling or combating infidels. From preaching to education and jihad ... that’s already a war,” said Bashir, wearing a white skull cap and shirt. “For what? Only for one purpose. To uphold the faith. The faith is more expensive than any wealth in the world, more valuable than children, wife or even life itself,” said the preacher, whose sermon was heard by hundreds sitting silently on the floor of the school mosque. |