http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/how-kebabs-and-coffee-help-turn-inmates-from-the-path-of-terror/story-e6frg6so-1226060651749
How kebabs and coffee help turn inmates from the path of terror Deborah Cassrels, in Semarang From: The Australian May 23, 2011 12:00AM Yusuf serves coffee to Noor Huda Ismail in Semarang. Picture: Deborah Cassrels Source: The Australian MAHMUDI Haryono, alias Yusuf, is discussing the finishing touches of a small, newly opened literary cafe with his boss in Semarang, central Java. Yusuf's clean-cut appearance and easy manner belie his radical jihadist thoughts. But after five years in jail for helping the JW Marriott Hotel bombers in 2003, the former Jemaah Islamiah member is embracing the chance of a new beginning offered by his mentor, counter-terrorism expert Noor Huda Ismail. As a former journalist for The Washington Post , Huda interviewed Yusuf behind bars in 2003, then visited him regularly. Released in 2008, Yusuf contacted Huda for help. "Now he's in charge of the cafe, he has meaning in his life," says Huda. So does Wawan Suprihatin, who has begun making kebabs in Huda's cafe. The religious extremist, recently released from jail, was sentenced to 10 years for robbing a mobile phone shop in central Java to finance the 2005 Bali bombing. The intervention in Yusuf's life was a turning point. "If it wasn't for Huda I would have been activated," he said. "I became more radicalised in jail. I am very disappointed the government gave me 10 years (remissions halved his sentence to five). "It strengthened my cause. Jihad is still my obligation. We need to continue that, especially in conflict areas in Indonesia or anywhere else in the world between Muslims and non-Muslims." Terror expert Carl Ungerer said last week jihadists were operating shadow governments from Indonesian prisons - recruiting members, sending money between jails and planning attacks in the outside world. Huda says of the claims: "The prison system is still the weakest link in our efforts to curb the trap of terrorism." University of Indonesia psychologist Sarlito Wirawan Sarwono, who was commissioned by the government to evaluate its deradicalisation jail program in 2009, said the inculcation of jihad in its most deadly form - martyrdom - must be tackled. Terrorists can be reformed, he said, citing research he carried out showing that jail further radicalised extremists. "The conclusion is they are sane people. Most people think they are crazy," he says. "They have their own belief system and social support environment. Because they are normal, we can try to change their beliefs. They are not born as terrorists." Overcrowded prisons are part of the problem, usually releasing convicted terrorists years early to free up space. In Yusuf's case, in lieu of completing his full term, he reports monthly to a corrections officer in east Java, but all he has to do is sign his name. "Terrorism doesn't just operate within office hours," says Huda. "With no continuous communication, extremists often reoffend." Arrested for storing explosives in Semarang, central Java, for Jemaah Islamiah organiser Abu Tholut - alias Mustofa , the financier behind the Marriott attack - Yusuf spent more than two years in prison isolation and says he was beaten daily by the guards. "Because we are terrorists, we're treated differently," he said. "I hate the government," he said. 'The temptation of terrorism is always there." What did he do in jail? " I read the Koran and I prayed." At 35, Yusuf has a wife and a 20-month-old daughter. Despite a year-long association with Huda, he remains in contact with JI and was asked to train in military camps in Aceh after his release from jail. He was sent to Mindanao, in The Philippines, for paramilitary training in 2003. He learned how to make bombs and use guns under instruction from jihad leader Abu Tholut, who helped set up JI offshoot Jemaah Anshorut Tauhid for training in Aceh. "In 2003, he (Tholut) gave me much money to rent a house in Semarang", where Mustofa stored boxes of explosives and ammunition, but did not divulge the contents were to be used in the bombing, Yusuf claims. Tholut was sent to prison before being paroled in 2009. He was rearrested last year for allegedly plotting bomb attacks on hotels in Jakarta and funding a militant training camp in Aceh. Huda is pragmatic about his deradicalisation initiative, admitting he is unable to keep up with the increasing terrorist numbers, but he called for the government to replicate program, which aims to isolate people from the terror networks. Since 2003, he has helped 10 released terrorists into small business opportunities. While one has reoffended, the others are engaged in Huda's enterprises, such as prawn farming and restaurants. Al Mukmin Ngruki, a former hardliner who studied at radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir's Islamic boarding school, now has a passion to halt the madness of terrorism. Huda's method is simple: provide a sense of worth to extremists. "This prevents the exploitation of grievances," he says. Providing career training and courses, the program is run through the International Institute for Peace Building "on a shoestring budget". Huda prefers to remain independent of Indonesian government funding. His international security advice firm is the funding channel through which the program operates. He challenges extremist interpretations of the Koran and hatred of foreigners, but deeply entrenched ideology often makes for a losing battle. "It's very difficult," he says. "Yusuf's wife was not supportive, and it's difficult to build trust because I'm seen as part of government intelligence. Once we reach a level of trust, I can easily challenge their ideology." On government initiatives, he complains nothing concrete has been done. "There's no political will. The big issues for us are corruption and poverty." Otherwise there was little hope. In the next couple of months, Huda plans to return to the Islamic school founded by Bashir, and teach "critical thinking" to the 2000 students. "I don't call it deradicalisation." Related Coverage a.. Battle for minds of terrorist convicts The Australian, 2 days ago b.. Declarations of faith The Australian, 2 days ago c.. Jihad's rookies under the radar The Australian, 6 May 2011 d.. Jihadists 'going under radar' The Australian, 19 Apr 2011 e.. Terrorist switch in West Java bombing The Australian, 15 Apr 2011 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Post message: [email protected] Subscribe : [email protected] Unsubscribe : [email protected] List owner : [email protected] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/Yahoo! 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