Islah Bahrawi Reminds the Danger of Religious Politicization

Main Auditorium, UIN News Online –Radicalism, Extremism and Terrorism Prevention Expert at the National Police Headquarters (Mabes Polri), Islah Bahrawi, said that when political interests take over religion, it will end in crime.

“When politics has influenced religion, a crime will look honorable and as if it was committed in the name of God,” said Islah in his speech during the final briefing for KKN 2022 UIN Jakarta titled “Penguatan Program Pengabdian Masyarakat yang Inovatif menuju Rekognisi Global” held at the Harun Nasution Auditorium, campus I of UIN Jakarta on Monday (07/25/2022).

Islah said that religious disintegration occurred because of political issues. He also warned students about the dangers of religious politicization.

“As religious people, we also have the right to be in politics and be represented in political interests, but do not use religion for political purposes because all history has shown us how dangerous the politicization of religion is,” he said.

Islah also explained that all transnational ideologies that have entered Indonesia are now starting to target young people. This is because the younger generation is the hope for transnational ideologies, such as the Khilafah and Salafi-Wahhabi, to maintain their existence.

Islah further revealed that many campus organizations adhere to the caliphate ideology. The organization approaches students through various movements.

Islah explicitly rejects the theory that the caliphate is a political system created directly by God. He himself argues that God does not need politics and the state. “I always reject the thesis that says this caliphate is a system from God. God doesn't need politics, God doesn't need a state. God has created this universe and owns it,” he said. (ns/ar/usa)