Don`t let the ISIS vision and mission from abroad become a reference for our young people."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have played upon religious sentiments to recruit followers in Indonesia, according to Indonesian Police Spokesperson Brigadier General Boy Rafli Amar.
"ISIS uses religious sentiment among the public, since Indonesia has the largest Muslim population, to persuade the people to struggle for Islam," said Boy, at a national seminar related to ISIS at the Religious Affairs Minister Office in Jakarta on Saturday.
In fact, Boy noted, the Islamic State uses violence to force their will on others.
"They resist against the legitimate government and laws, and in a legal term this is called rebellion," Boy said.
In terms of ISIS arriving in Indonesia, Boy underlined the importance of preventive actions.
"Dont let the ISIS vision and mission from abroad become a reference for our young people," he stressed.
According to officials, the police have been working along with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Islamic scholars to prevent ISIS radical teachings from spreading in Indonesia.
Boy said the spirit of the role of Islamic scholars, from when the nation achieved independence from the colonialists in the past, should be transmitted to the nations youth in order to teach them about history and nationalism.
Further, the Indonesian Police expect Islamic scholars and religious figures to explain the true meaning of struggle and jihad.
"To enforce the law, we can not just arrest and put people behind bars, but also we need prevention to avoid the people of Indonesia from becoming trapped by actions that are against the law," Boy said.
At the seminar, Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said the ideology of ISIS was contradicted by the the unitary state of Indonesias principals and Islamic history, as it spreads throughout the country.
Lukman called for all Muslims in Indonesia to be aware of the rise of ISIS and its influences, as it could damage the nations harmony, which has been built through tolerance and peaceful principals.
Moreover, the ISIS virus is being spread through the internet,which is easy to access.
"What we can do now is to be introspective and be cautious for the sake of ourselves," said Lukman.
Also participating in the national seminar were Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Chairman Din Syamsudin, Indonesian Military (TNI), Indonesia Intelligence Agency (BIN), National Anti-Terrorism Agency (BNPT), Islamic organization leaders, government officials, and civil society members.
(Reporting by Aditya E. S. Wicaksono/Uu.INE/KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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