Let us inflame nationalism to narrow the space for propaganda and the spread of radical terrorism in society, especially in AcehJakarta (ANTARA) - The National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) has invited people in the country, especially Aceh, to continue to actively build national preparedness by involving several parties or multi-stakeholders to fight terrorism.
"Preparedness is more about mitigation measures, so that all of us rise together to be vigilant," Head of BNPT Commissioner General Boy Rafli Amar noted in a statement here, Wednesday.
National preparedness will build public awareness to always be alert to the potential threat of terrorism that can strike anyone, anywhere, and at any time.
"(This is necessary), so that we are careful and everyone has awareness that the threat of terrorism can happen anytime and affect anyone," the BNPT head stressed.
The former Banten Police chief encouraged the people of Aceh to play an active role in becoming the nation's front guard in protecting and maintaining culture, customs, and a spirit of tolerance, including maintaining Pancasila for the sake of presenting a harmonious life in Aceh.
"As a province that is nicknamed the Veranda of Mecca, Aceh has a multicultural population that lives in harmony and promotes tolerance between religions," Amar remarked.
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He believes this should always be treated together within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) under the auspices of Pancasila, as the nation's unifying ideology.
He affirmed the importance of glorifying the spirit of nationalism by every citizen in order to minimize propaganda efforts and the spread of ideas that are inconsistent with the nation's noble values.
"Let us inflame nationalism to narrow the space for propaganda and the spread of radical terrorism in society, especially in Aceh," he stated.
In line with the BNPT head's view, Head of the Aceh Political and National Unity Agency (Kesbangpol) Masrimin said that success in preventing propaganda, radicalization, and criminal acts of terrorism required the will, support, and cooperation of all parties, especially civil society.
"We really hope that this commitment can continue to be strengthened by all parties," he remarked.
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The BNPT earlier stated that women can become the agents of peace and efforts to enhance their role in preventing terrorism that should be intensified.
"We encourage women's organizations at this event to become the agents of peace," head of BNPT's counter-propaganda sub-directorate, Solahuddin Nasution, noted here on Wednesday.
At a workshop organized with the Central Sulawesi Terrorism Prevention Coordination Forum (FKTP) at Palu's Alkhairaat University and involving national women's organizations, the BNPT official remarked that women have the ability to promote and raise awareness to fight all forms of terror propaganda.
Given their vital role in the family, women have a strategic role to protect the family and their community from terror propaganda, he remarked.
"A mother can be a dialogue partner with her child, and as a wife, she could become a discussion partner with her husband on various aspects, for instance, on comprehension of religious teachings," Nasution stated.
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He said that women are also expected to be the early detectors of anomalies occurring within their families.
The household is the primary educational institution, as from there, children start studying all aspects around them, including social, cultural, and religious values, he noted.
"Educating children within the family is the parent's reciprocal duty, yet the position of women is as a mother, who has a greater emotional intimacy with their children. Hence, children's character and personality development depend on the women," the BNPT sub-directorate head said.
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Translator: M Zulfikar, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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