Jihad Watch: Indonesia tries selective "deradicalization," condemning only some jihadist violence, leaving political Islam untouched

July 23, 2008

Indonesia tries selective "deradicalization," condemning only some jihadist violence, leaving political Islam untouched

As with Saudi Arabia's "rehabilitation" efforts, the main goals here appear to be protecting the regime and stopping domestic jihad attacks -- those could hurt Muslims. While the article notes that "the Indonesian police believe 'that if they could overcome this … then other deeply held jihadist tenets would also be questioned'," is there any effort to follow through on that opportunity? And before they reduce or drop charges, are authorities sure the "deradicalized" detainee has truly had a change of heart, and wasn't simply telling them what they wanted to hear?

"Analysis: Indonesia tries deradicalization," by Shaun Waterman for UPI, July 22:

WASHINGTON, July 22 (UPI) -- Indonesia is one of several Southeast Asian nations that are following the lead of Arab countries like Saudi Arabia and launching programs to rehabilitate jailed Islamic extremists -- known as deradicalization.

But according to experts and two recent studies, Indonesia's deradicalization program -- a much smaller and less formalized affair than those run by its neighbors Singapore and Malaysia -- does not try to get the extremists to break with their radical, political interpretation of Islamic ideology, but rather to renounce violence, specifically suicide bombings and other mass casualty attacks on civilians.

The program "doesn't try to deradicalize them (in the sense of abandoning their interpretation of Islam) -- they're trying to get them to renounce violence," Zachary Abuza told United Press International. [...]

Kirsten Schulze, a senior lecturer in international history at the London School of Economics, writes in this month's edition of the center's publication, CTC Sentinel, that "there are two key issues that (the program's leaders) wanted to deradicalize in the jihadist mindset: the killing of civilians and the 'need' for an Islamic state."

The latter principle is at the root of the anti-state aspects of Indonesian jihadi ideology, which sees "everyone who works with or for the government" as an unbeliever.

Schulze writes that the Indonesian police believe "that if they could overcome this … then other deeply held jihadist tenets would also be questioned."

But the program, in Schulze's telling, does not seem to systematically challenge the basic justification of violent jihad.

"While the killing of civilians by suicide bombings is being challenged," she concludes in the study, "jihadist violence perpetrated in the Ambon and Poso conflicts has been condoned."

In both areas, armed Islamic militias took part in bitter and bloody religious conflict, but it was seen by radicals as part of a defensive jihad, a struggle for survival by the Muslim population -- in which it is legitimate to use violence. [...]

There's more to it than that. Poso has been the site of a great deal of violent clashes and persecution of local Christians. Ambon saw widespread violence between Christians and Muslims between 1999 and 2002, and was part of a failed bid for independence in 1950.

In his experience of the program, "Violence is the bright line," he told UPI. "They are not trying to get people to turn away from political Islam."

All three experts commented on the specific, perhaps unique, history of Indonesia -- an Islamic nation with very tolerant traditions towards its non-Muslim minorities.

O'Brien said the program is based on "building a relationship, building trust" with the participants, and involves providing for the families of those who want to take part.

And sometimes a party.

"It is difficult with people (directly) involved in killings," he said, adding the program was aimed primarily at people "on the periphery."

The intervention begins when the jihadis are in police custody, he said, and indeed, their participation in the program can result in their charges being lessened or dropped altogether.

"That's an option: charge them with a lesser (non-terrorist) offense or nothing," he said....

Posted by Marisol at July 23, 2008 9:05 AM
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"... condemning only some jihadist violence, leaving political Islam untouched"

won't work.

Posted by: pulsar182

at July 23, 2008 10:20 AM

At one time in history Indonesia was a Hindu-Buddhist culture. This influence came about through the contact with Indians as they traded with Southeast Asia. We see the lost temples of Akhor Wat in Cambodia and ancient Hindu temples in Indonesia and Buddhist Stupas as well. Most Hindus after the arrival of Islam retreated to Bali. After arrival of Mohammedanism look what has happened to Indonesia. The usual violence and chaos of the imperialistic Arab doctrine of Islam. Death and destruction of indigenous culture, while the control and suffocating ideology of Islam is established.

Posted by: savsiv

at July 23, 2008 10:30 AM

The Indonesian Government's efforts in going after the terrorists are only for show. They only arrest and convict in cases where there were foreigners killed by these jihadists or where the crime was so horrific, there's no way they could not but go after the perpetrators and prosecute them. In cases like this, the sentences were either light in view of the crime, commuted, or reduced after a while, if not a downright release/ pardon.

Political Islam is slowly gripping and choking the freedom of non Muslims in Indonesia. The sad thing is, many non Muslims in Indonesia are not aware of this, or refused to believe that their in-laws, good friends, etc belong to this cruel ideology, and that later, when it counts, those 'good Muslims' are not going to stand up for the freedom of the non Muslims, since it's against islam.

Posted by: jasmine

at July 23, 2008 1:42 PM

But according to experts and two recent studies, Indonesia's deradicalization program -- a much smaller and less formalized affair than those run by its neighbors Singapore and Malaysia -- does not try to get the extremists to break with their radical, political interpretation of Islamic ideology, but rather to renounce violence, specifically suicide bombings and other mass casualty attacks on civilians

And Malaysia does?

The Malaysia that declared different dead people Mohammedan after they passed on? The Malaysia that confiscated a woman's daughter because she broke from her Mohammedan parents and married a Hindu? The Malaysia that repeatedly denied wannabe apostates the right to exit Islam? That Malaysia!?

Posted by: Infidel Pride

at July 23, 2008 4:04 PM

But according to experts and two recent studies, Indonesia's deradicalization program -- a much smaller and less formalized affair than those run by its neighbors Singapore and Malaysia -- does not try to get the extremists to break with their radical, political interpretation of Islamic ideology, but rather to renounce violence, specifically suicide bombings and other mass casualty attacks on civilians

And Malaysia does?

Posted by: Infidel Pride

at July 23, 2008 4:05 PM

Isn't that the problem with the whole "war on terror"? Put down the most violent jihadists, but leave the system intact? What good is a peaceful Iraq? Will it become another "peaceful" Saudi Arabia? Who needs that? The Saudis have to keep their jihadists on a chain also, just to be used for special purposes. The Bush doctrine is indistinguishable from the Saudi doctrine.
http://www.bravenewsworld.com

Posted by: Max Publius

at July 23, 2008 9:56 PM

This touches *me* very closely, since I am Australian, and Malaysia and Indonesia and, therefore, the rising tide of Jihad, are right on my back doorstep.

I would advise NO-ONE to be complacent about the supposed 'moderation' of Islam in Malaysia *or* Indonesia.

Jasmine and Infidel pride know all about it, but others, especially newcomers to this site, may not.

Those who do not know, can make a start on the subject simply by reading V S Naipaul, 'Among the Believers' (1981; reprinted in 2000) and 'Beyond Belief' (1999) which include lengthy chapters on Islam - its jihadists and pushers of sharia - in Malaysia and in Indonesia, as well as in Iran and Pakistan.

By the way, a bit OT, but interesting, here's a link to an interview with V S Naipaul on Australia's Radio National. Read right through: he discusses the impact of Islam on India, and closes with some very strong warnings about Muslim infiltration of western societies and its continual demands to be accommodated.

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/spiritofthings/stories/2001/361036.htm

Oh, and the date the interview went to air? - 9th September 2001.

Posted by: dumbledoresarmy

at July 23, 2008 10:23 PM

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