Palu, C Sulawesi (Antara Bali) - The radical Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) movement's presence in Indonesia can disrupt the nation's stability, and the biggest losses will be borne by Muslims, a noted Muslim scholar stated here on Friday.
"If this movement exists in Indonesia, it can disrupt the country's stability, and the Muslims will not easily seek asylum," Professor Dr Azyumardi Azra informed participants of a seminar organized by Palu State-run Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN Palu).
Therefore, Indonesia should be safeguarded from the influence of radical religious movements such as the ISIS in order to secure the nation's existence, emphasized the former rector of the Jakarta Islamic State University (UIN Jakarta).
The concept of caliphate that the ISIS has been fighting for is not relevant to the condition of Indonesian Muslims because the nation's current state is more suitable for them, he affirmed.
The ISIS issue has gained the attention of both the Indonesian government officials and people, particularly after an eight-minute-long video surfaced on YouTube under the title "Join the Rank."
According to Indonesian Police Chief General Sutarman, an Indonesian national, who had called on the Muslims to join the ISIS in the video, was a fugitive terrorist.
"The Indonesian police have been following the move to call on the people to join the organization (ISIS). We have identified the person, whose initial is B. He is a fugitive," he recently claimed.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has reminded Indonesians of the fact that not all problems in the Middle East are related to religion, hence they need to clearly understand it. (WDY)
ISIS Can Disrupt Indonesia's Stability : Noted Scholar
Jumat, 8 Agustus 2014 15:06 WIB