| Submit your comments on this article |
| Southeast Asia |
| NU Group Backs Fatwa, Modern War Too Complex for NationÂ’s Jihadis |
| 2009-01-22 |
| A think tank linked to the East Java branch of Nahdlatul Ulama has rejected suggestions that the organization’s fatwa, or religious decree, banning Indonesians from fighting alongside Palestinians in Gaza could be perceived by other Islamic groups as “cowardly.” “They’re 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. NU’s 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 harm’s 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 state’s 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, Indonesia’s 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 don’t 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 |
| #4 The first step in recovery is admitting you have a problem... |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2009-01-22 14:54 |
| #3 You could certainly make use of untrained people in ancient warfare. Many tactical systems were designed to get value from them after limited training, and then there were those great manpower sinks, sieges and garrisons. Just plain labor was also essential. |
| Posted by: buwaya 2009-01-22 14:24 |
| #2 "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," Because, of course, back then, skillset and training and experience were unnecessary. You just waded in, riding a horse, brandishing a curving sword while looking ferocious, and voilà ! Battle won. Because dispatching a willing and able adversary, who's bent on dispatching you first, while both wield melee weapons whihc for all purpose are equally efficient, is so easy... why, it can even be done bare-handed, I think I saw that in a movie. |
| Posted by: anonymous5089 2009-01-22 12:41 |
| #1 This is a little scary. A Muslim issuing a fatwa that can add 2 + 2 and get four. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2009-01-22 12:25 |