Here we are again with the same old cognitive dissonance that we see again and again and again: Western authorities and Islamic spokesmen in America and Europe insist that Islam is peaceful, that jihad is a benign struggle for justice, and that those who claim that jihad is warfare (violent and stealthy) to spread Sharia are ignorant “Islamophobes.” Yet again and again and again, those Muslims who claim openly that jihad means warfare against unbelievers in order to establish Sharia present themselves as representing the true teachings of the Qur’an and the full obedience to Muhammad’s example. No one from John Brennan to Honest Ibe Hooper of CAIR has ever deigned to explain to us how it is that so many Muslims who study the Qur’an and devote themselves to implementing it misunderstand its message so drastically.
“JI crown prince Abdul Rohim sees violent jihad as inevitable,” by Hasyim Widhiarto for The Jakarta Post, August 11 (thanks to Kris):
The youngest son of firebrand cleric Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, Abdul Rohim, 31, is tipped by many to become the future leader of the jihadist movement in Indonesia. The young and energetic father of three daughters talked with The Jakarta Post’s Hasyim Widhiarto several days before the police arrested Ba’asyir, the spiritual leader of the Jamaah Islamiyah. Here is an excerpt of the interview:
[…] You are also a senior member of the Jamaah Ansharu-Tauhid (JAT), which has also been linked to terrorism. Can you tell us more about this organization?
The JAT was established as the representation of our shared willingness to live according to sharia.
We have realized that Muslims in this country have no support to practice sharia, but we can’t just keep silent about this, as Allah will someday demand our responsibility for our inaction.
We hope to see this organization play a role as a community for all Muslims who want to help us spread and practice Islamic teachings, for both ourselves and society.
Unfortunately, if you share these objectives with the infidels, they will liken such efforts to terrorism.
So what is jihad to you then?
There is no doubt that jihad has become an inseparable part of Islam. Why? Because the Koran explains it in more than 100 verses.
Even the Prophet Muhammad took part in 28 of more than 70 wars that took place during his 23 years of active missionary period.
Here, we teach our students about the Koran and Hadith, including the topic on jihad.
However, more and more people, even some Muslims, now consider teaching students about jihad similar to training them as terrorists.
We have also realized the West has put up much efforts to persuade Islamic schools worldwide to scrap the jihad subject (from their curriculum) and skip discussions on all Koran verses containing it.
Our duty is to share the complete version of our religious teachings to our students. We never urge them to set up terrorism operations as people have accused us. […]
How do you view Islamic groups that use violence to promote sharia?
I have always believed that what these groups are doing is actually showing their deepest love of Islam and strong willingness to practice the entire teachings of their religion.
When such embedded rights (to practice Islam) have never been given, it’s normal to see more and more Muslims joining an (organized) effort to get their rights back.
Some groups may choose the peaceful approach, but it’s inevitable to see others take the violent path.
However, it’s not in my capacity to make any comment on the violent approaches chosen by these groups to reach their goals, as they must have their own reasons to do that. […]
So it’s obvious to see many Muslims who feel satisfied with the government as long as they are allowed to build mosques, run daily prayers, and fast during Ramadan. But Islam is not as simple as that. It is true that all Muslims must adhere to all five pillars of Islamic principles. But like a house, Islam cannot stand with only pillars. It needs walls, a roof, paint, and other things to be complete.
That’s why a Muslim must always refer to the Koran and the deeds of the Prophet Muhammad.
People may say that some Islamic law, like cutting off hands and rajam (stoning to death), are cruel, but that is what the Koran says. No matter how bad the laws are, they are undoubtedly the laws of Allah.
Once the entire Islamic law is upheld, it will bring mankind into a happy and orderly life, which cannot be achieved with any man-made laws. […]
For us, the implementation of sharia is our final goal. It’s because once you declare your syahadat creed, you must apply Islamic teachings entirely and not partially. Of course, we cannot ask Osama (bin Laden) to come to Indonesia and implement sharia here. It is our obligation to do that and Allah will ask your responsibility in the afterlife.