Author: Ridho Nugroho *)
Terrorist attacks during the month of Ramadan and ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1440 H have the potential to occur considering that Indonesia has experienced it. The security forces and the public must not be unaware of the action and continue to work together in suppressing the spread of radicalism and terror.
Understanding radicalism that triggers acts of terror can affect a person due to discomfort with the situation of the State and the democracy that is in it. They generally also feel that the existing system does not favor their lives.
Radicalism is often associated with terrorism, because radicalism is the embryo of the birth of terrorism. Radical groups can use any means to achieve their desires, including terrorizing those who disagree with them.
Although many associate radicalism with certain religions, basically radicalism is a political problem and not the teachings of religion. Radicalism longs for a total and revolutionary change by drastically reversing values through violence and extreme actions.
The month of Ramadan is the time awaited by Muslims to increase their devotion through fasting and devoted worship. But in the midst of holiness this month, people must be aware of the emergence of terror from radicals who want to divide the unity of the nation. In the Corona pandemic also the radicals began to spread their influence so that people feel worried in worship.
When entering the month of Ramadan, we all hope to live it peacefully. All negative things try to be silenced because it can reduce the essence of fasting. The Muslims are also diligent in hunting for merit by diligently reciting the Koran and giving alms more often, as well as giving alms rice to the poor.
However, in recent weeks, the National Police has been intensively conducting arrests of terrorist members in a number of areas. As in Serang, Banten Detachment 88 managed to arrest three suspected terrorists. This case is thought to be the result of the development of terrorist arrests in Surabaya and Sidoarjo, East Java. Provisional allegations, these suspected terrorists are members of the East Java Jamaat Ansharut Daulah (JAD).
Brigadier General Dedi at the National Police Headquarters said, “There is a belief in the group that if they do ‘amaliyah’ (acts of terror) in the month of Ramadan, if they are bombers, they die in a martyrdom”.
Seeing the incidents that occur every year which are always repeated, the arrest of massive terrorist members was carried out by the authorities during the month of Ramadan and before Eid. The terrorists are ready to take Bai’at in Ramadan with the belief of heaven in return.
Acts of terrorism that occurred in the month of Ramadan and ahead of Eid al-Fitr are enough to make people anxious plus the Corona pandemic is not yet over. Many people are afraid to walk alone, because the evidence of crime has also increased in recent months. The terrorists who are radicals never hesitate to shoot at the police, even though they are community guards.
No wonder that a few days before the fasting month and during Ramadan, there are many security posts on the main road and other strategic places. They are ready to secure the community in this holy month, so that there will be no more bombings that damage the peace of Ramadan.
Therefore, if you see something suspicious, for example a group of people in a rented house who rarely socialize and behave strangely, immediately report to the authorities. Don’t be paranoid, because who knows they are radicals who are gathering to carry out acts of terror. One piece of information from you can save a lot of people, and the police will take firm action if it is proven that there are terrorists there.
Radicals must indeed be eradicated so that they do not spread more terror. Of course, the public also needs to be aware of the threat of acts of terrorism during the month of Ramadan and before the celebration of Idul Fitri.
*) The author is a contributor to the Indonesian Strategic Information Study Institute