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3.2 The Reactions and Steps Taken to
Counter the Negative Stigma
The Ministry of Religious Affair Indonesia states the
curriculum and Islamic teachings in Pesantren Ngruki
does not indicate the presence of radicalism and
terrorism as well. The advisor of Pesantren Ngruki,
Wahyudin, said the Pondok Pesantren Al Mukmin
Ngruki, as institution, should not be linked, either
directly or indirectly to the criminal acts of terrorism
and radicalism occuring in Indonesia. The director of
Pesantren al Mukmin, Ibnu Chanifah, added that the
pesantren never teach, direct, let alone approve acts
of violence. More specifically, if there are alumni of
Pesantren Al Mukmin Ngruki commit criminal acts
of terrorism or engaging in actions directly or
indirectly in terrorism, the pesantren leaders handed
over entirely to the legal process, so it should be
treated based on legal process in the court.
In the eye of Pesantren Al Mukmin Ngruki,
terrorism and radicalism that have occurred are
closely related to political, religious and economic
interests, and this should be shunned by all parties,
especially by the policy makers and leaders.
Therefore, the pesantren objects to those who commit
radicalism and terrorism on behalf of Pesantren
Ngruki.
Pesantren
in Indonesia generally only teaches
about Islam rahmatan lil Alamin since Islam brings
mercy to all mankind not violence and intolerance.
Pesantren Al Mukmin declares that the pesantren is
open to anyone. Guests who come to pesantren could
find out programs, the strategic plans, vision and
mission, as well as a curriculum that teaches students.
The position of Pesantren Al Mukmin Ngruki on
jihad and suicide bombings can be seen in the
"Declaration of Ngruki “. The declaration suggests
that the alumni of Ngruki will always struggle fi
sabilillah (in the God’s path) in enforcing Islamic
law. They declared that jihad here should not be
defined as terrorist-jihad style which permit killing
the innocent people but it is the jihad directed in
accordance with the demands of the Koran and
promoting peace.
One of the efforts of Al Mukmin Ngruki Solo in
countering Radicalism and Terrorism ideology is
deradicalization. Deradicalization in Pesantren is not
only done through a form of discussion and rhetoric
way, but also through concrete action by tolerance,
even to some points provide the students with the
skills to develop their creativity in the framework of
the economic development of the people. This is in
line with their view that radicalism and terrorism is
sometimes caused by social injustice.
Deradicalization must be carried out within the
framework of the strengthening effort to reduce the
gaps of social, economic and political life enabling to
trigger the growth of understanding of violence
leading to acts of terror.
According to Wahyudin, the solutions of
radicalism are: first, respecting the aspirations of
fundamental Islamist by means of dialogue and
democratic way; second, treating them humanely;
Third, not to fight them with the same radical and
violent way. The extremely radical groups should be
pulled to the moderate positions; Fourth, giving
freedom of thought for all the groups that will
manifest a healthy dialogue and constructive
criticism; Fifth, stopping to label infidel (kafir) to
others ; sixth, studying religion properly in
accordance with the methods that have been
determined by Islamic scholars who promote a
peaceful Islam for all. Seventh, understanding Islam
completely not partiallly.
Deradicalization conducted in Pesantren Al
Mukmin Ngruki is trying to use a peaceful manner
and constitutional way through education, dakwah,
economic empowerment, social, cultural and political
efforts which are called the peaceful Jihad. According
to Louay Fatoohi, Peaceful jihad is the approach,
attitude, and practice that ensure Muslim is in
continuous progress toward the ideal state of man:
perfect servant hood to Allah (Fatoohi, 2009). The
failure to recognize peaceful jihad as the main, not
only as one, form of jihad is bound to reflect
negatively on the soul and character of the Muslim
and his spiritual progress. This failure effectively
indicates the person’s willingness to cohabit with
various bad qualities that he has.
In Indonesia, this peaceful Jihad terminology
popularized by Ronald Lukens-Bull in A Peaceful
Jihad: Negotiating Identity and Modernity in Muslim
of Java. The use of terminology by Lukens-Bull is
motivated by his curiosity to the phenomenon of
Islam in Indonesia and other practices of Islam in the
other countries, which promote the harmony and
peace.
Pesantren Al-Mukmin Ngruki is trying and
working hard in an effort to erode the negative stigma
by a way of press conferences and seminars. Actually,
other things should be done by pesantren Al-Mukmin
Ngruki is to be more open and frequently establish
political communication, and seminars, especially
with parties outside pesantren either by experts,
scholars and even the parties which have negative
view of Pesantren Ngruki, so there is a common
ground and similarities perceptions of those who label
the pesantren as radical school.
The Reaction of Pesantren Al Mukmin to Radicalism and Terrorism
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