Monday, March 15, 2010 2:59 AM
Ministry to help deradicalize terrorists
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sun, 03/14/2010 8:47 PM | National
The Religious Affairs Ministry plans to help deradicalize terrorists after they have served time in prison.
“We may begin the program this year. We’re ready to help detainees develop the right interpretation of Islam,” said Religious Affairs Minister Surya Dharma Ali, when visiting Darussalam Islamic boarding school in Muntilan, Central Java, on Sunday.
The minister made the statement amid the rising number of alleged terrorists captured and killed in recent police raids in hideouts in Java and Aceh.
Surya said that people resorted to terrorism partly because they had misinterpreted Islam and the concept of jihad.
“Some Islamic sects interpret jihad in a narrow and artificial way,” he said.
“They need to be involved in dialogues about the true meaning of Islam as practiced by mainstream Muslims in Indonesia.”
Aside from the education programs, Surya said the ministry was also preparing religious programs for women and children detainees.
(Wouldn't it have been better to teach those who teach corrupted interpretations of the Quran to the people, rather than the other way 'round?
Isn't it so that we buy shoes to fit the foot rather than alter the foot to fit the shoe? But I suppose it is a start! Kesas' musings!)
zo 14 maa 2010 - 20:10