Lack of Islamic Literacy, Youths More Easily Become the Target of Radical Ideology

Madya Hall, UIN News Online – The young generation who lacked in Islamic literacy became the most vulnerable group targeted by the religious radicalization that gave rise to various acts of terrorism. The psychology of young people who are in the phase of self-discovery adds to the spread of radicalization ideas so it effectively targeting them.

This was conveyed by Yudi Zulfahri S.STP, Director of Yayasan Jalan Perdamaian, as a guest speaker of Public Discussion and Discussion of Terrorism Deradicalization Books: Deradikalisasi Terorisme: Menimbang Perlawanan Muhammadiyah dan Loyalitas Nahdlatul Ulama at Madya Hall, campus I of UIN Jakarta, Thursday (04/19/2018).

Referring to his personal experience, Yudi narrates, he became easily targeted spread of radicalization due to his minimal Islamic literacy. The quest for identity in the drive of 'emigrating' to become a devout Muslim pushed him trapped in various radical Islamic studies activities.

These recitation activities encouraged him to have the belief that complete Islam was by purifying tawheed and living in a salaf manhaj. Whatever it is outside, it sees it as a thogut to be fought.

"I am studying in government college with national insight as a daily food and finally believe that the Indonesian government is part of thogut that must be fought," he said.

Such religious beliefs, he continued, led Yudi to be involved in Dulmatin's network of terrorism. Among his involvement in this network is the military training of terrorists in Jalin Hills, Jantho, Aceh, until he was arrested by the Indonesian Police on February 22, 2010.

On the other side, Chairman of Forum Kerukunan Umat Beragama DKI Jakarta, KH Ahmad Syafi'i Mufid, stated that the rise of religious radicalization actions that led to terrorist acts was motivated by the belief that the fulfillment of religious obligations (iqomah al-din) would only be perfect if it had established power (iqomah al-daulah) namely khilafah. Without this power, the implementation of Islamic obligations such as prayer, fasting, zakat has not been considered perfect.

Such belief, he continued, is coupled with the solidarity of the oppressed brothers both economically and politically as the experience of Afghanistan and Muslims in Myanmar. The reality of economic inequality also adds to the strengthening of the spread of radicalization that gave birth to various acts of terror. "This condition that makes them feel the need to awaken Islam Kaaffah," he explained.

Meanwhile, Director of SAS Institute M. Imdadun Rahmat encourages various elements of Islamic civil society to strengthen moderate Islamic literacy (wasathiyah). This Islamic literacy is needed to equip young people with adequate understanding of Islam as well as respect for nationality so it is not easy to get caught in the current of radicalization. (usa)