http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/10/30/sympathy-terrorists-remains-deeprooted.html
Sympathy for terrorists remains deep-rooted Mohammad Yazid , Jakarta | Fri, 10/30/2009 1:39 PM | Opinion A Javanese saying aptly describes the love-hate relationship among siblings as tega larane ora tega patine (having the heart to leave somebody suffering, but not to see their death). It means kinship is basically an inseparable bond. We may be enraged and appalled at the wicked behavior of our brother or sister, making us reluctant to see them while severely ill, or even wishing they would die soon. But when they do die, some pity and remorse will arise. This emotion has been experienced by many Indonesian Muslims when police killed alleged Muslim terrorists. Actually, there were always mixed reactions at their funerals. In some cases, villagers refused to have the bodies buried at their villages, since they believed terrorism is against Islam. In Kuningan, West Java, locals protested against a planned burial of terrorists Syaifudin Zuhri and M Syahrir, who died in a raid in Ciputat that was conducted by Densus 88. In the end, the remains of two suspects was buried at Pondok Rangon cemetery in East Jakarta. Only few attended the funeral. Some communities in Kudus, Purbalingga and Solo, Central Java, showed similar responses to the funerals of other terrorists - Bagus Budi Pranoto, Ario Sudarso and Susilo. By comparison, reactions were very different with Amrozi, Mukhlas, Imam Samudera (all Bali bombing I convicts), Air Setyawan and Eko Joko Supriyanto (killed during a raid in Puri Nusaphala, Jatiasih Bekasi). These funerals were welcomed by residents and supporters. The terrorist suspects were seen as martyrs, who had sacrificed their lives for a religious cause. But Muslims have reacted to terrorism in different ways. Many Muslims have reacted furiously to terrorism as being a major peril to social life, and have been relieved at witnessing the deaths of the terrorists, and hope for the recovery of security. They oppose such acts and describe what terrorists have done as murder under the guise of religion, and not jihad or holy war. Conversely, others have shown a willingness to understand and support terrorist acts carried out by people called jihadists. Their views are set among others against the backdrop of the belief in jihad guaranteeing entry to heaven. They justify such acts because the Koran apparently allows Muslims to kill heretics. The words and deeds of the Prophet also contain appeals to support jihadists. Islam also emphasizes that fellow Muslims are brothers. Thus, they should help each other. However, the diverse opinions about terrorism and jihad among Muslims will create further problems in Indonesia's endeavors to eliminate it, since Muslims (as the largest social group) share no common ground on these issues at this stage. This basic factor is the basis for the assumption that the Muslim community is not yet firm in its stance against terrorism. And Muslims who support terrorism are somewhat bound by considerations that among victims of terrorism are Muslims. On the other hand, this group would no doubt change its stance if victims were non-Muslims. This implies that the source of their rejection is not terrorists' anarchist, sectarian ideology or use of violence cloaked in religion. Wide appreciation has also been seen from society for the accomplishments of police since the shooting of Noordin M. Top and his accomplices. However, this success by no means suggests the end of the war on terrorism, because the growth of terrorism in Indonesia is inseparable from the attitudes of the Muslim community, which have given the terrorist movement room to evolve. Among other things, many terrorists perceive Islam in the spirit of anarchy and sectarianism, rather than in the spirit of togetherness and tolerance as members of Indonesia's pluralist society. Doesn't the public have the right to reject terrorism? The presence of this moral sanction is also expected to give a lesson to members of the terrorist ring now still at large. It also becomes a preventive attempt with regard to any incorrect understanding of religious teachings. The change in behavior of the public also proves that police and ulemas' efforts to give the public the right idea about terrorism have succeeded. Media reporting has also helped to educate the public that terrorism is not in the nature of Islam, and will disgrace Islam, since the sin of killing people at random is akin to mass murder. Therefore, as the last bastion to terminate its growth, the active participation of the general public in supporting security personnel is the only choice. This challenge is not simple for Muslims to respond to. The writer is a member of The Jakarta Post's opinion desk. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
