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| Southeast Asia |
| Bashir: "Violence" Is a Infidel Term |
| 2003-10-27 |
| EFL: THE Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins today but it will not automatically halt terrorism in Indonesia, according to convicted Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir. We really didn’t expect it to. Described by many as the spiritual leader of terrorist network Jemaah Islamiah, Bashir explained that "jihad, which is justified by religion, is good". Asked if violence was permitted during Ramadan, Bashir told The Australian that "violence" was a term used by infidels who wanted to destroy Islam. Yup, that’s the first thing on my mind when I wake up; "How am I going to destroy islam today?" Speaking by telephone from Salemba prison in Jakarta, where he is serving a four-year term for subversion, Bashir explained the difference between jihad and violence. "Islam is peaceful, but there is jihad to defend yourself, and the infidels changed the meaning into violence," he said. I see, so it’s a translation problem. Some radical Muslims, such as JI followers, believe Western nations, and particularly the US, directly oppress Muslims in Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq as well as indirectly oppressing Muslims throughout the developing world. They believe it is justifiable jihad for Muslims to return the attack. I"m not real clear on this whole "indirect oppression" thing. Announcing that Ramadan would start today, Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Said Aquil al-Munawar said on Saturday that he hoped the holy month would be peaceful. "I also hope the Yankees will win the World Series" Yet, the general secretary of the extremist Islamic Defenders Front, Shobri Lubis, said it was obligatory for the front’s followers to attack entertainment venues that did not close during Ramadan. "If we can’t have fun, ain’t nobody gonna have any!" |
| Posted by:Steve |
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