By: Muhammad Zaki) *
The media has reported that ISIS suffered a defeat in Syria, they forced to withdraw after being attacked by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in March 2019 marked by the fall of the last ISIS defense in Baghouz.
Since the heyday of the downfall of ISIS, there have been around 700 to 800 ISI sympathizers in Syria. Of the total, only around 200 have been. repatriated to Indonesia. The rest are still waiting for government assistance to return to the country.
However, it is not that easy, yet no one forces them to go to Syria. President Jokowi also stressed that the return of former ISIS citizens would be carried out if they were committed to being loyal to the Pancasila.
But if they don’t want to change their ideology, then
Indonesia firmly does not accept them.
Let’s refer to an old saying “if you hear the mountains move, you may believe. But if you hear the character of a person changing then don’t be easy to believe. “
The sentence seems to imply a danger that might arise if we easily believe in someone who wants to change his character.
This is reinforced by Kasandra Putranto as Kasandra Associates Psychologist who said that, there is the potential danger if the wife and children of ex-combatants and ISIS sympathizers return to the country, this is due to the potential to develop extreme attitudes as a result of their social environment while in Syria .
Of course we already know how ISIS is very radical and as if pro with acts of violence. If indeed they will return to Indonesia later, will they be peaceful and tolerant with the differences that exist?
Can we be suspicious, for example they once learned how to make a bomb in Syria, then after the ISIS lost they asked to go home and be repatriated, because in his heart there were still remnants of radicalism, it would be dangerous if they did not want to declare the Pancasila ideology.
If there is still lack of evidence, let’s look at the 1980s, when at that time someone who was radical and called himself the Mujahideen of Afghanistan returned to their homeland and 20 years later became a terrorist suicide bombing in Bali.
Referring to the story, it is not impossible that this could be repeated by former ISIS sympathizers who want to return to their homeland.
The Republic of Indonesia’s Defense Minister, Ryamizard Ryacudu, has stressed that for Indonesian citizens who choose to join and fight with ISIS, he suggests that they do not have to return to Indonesia to join ISIS both in Iraq, Syria and Marawi.
This refusal might bring a reaction from some people who feel that the current government is tyrannical towards Muslims.
But a question will arise, whether when they leave for Syria, they ISIS sympathizers are still willing to acknowledge the ideology of the Indonesian nation, or whether they are still willing to respect the red and white flag.
If there are those who accuse the Government of being not pro against Muslims, there will certainly be a big question mark, which Muslim people do Jokowi hate. Or don’t – do certain Muslims want to live in a country that adheres to the khilafah system.
If so, ex-ISIS sympathizers should not go home, rather than later showing anti-democratic and tolerance attitudes in Indonesia, it would be better for them to be loyal to ISIS, which has already lost, not to lose, then whine home.
If the purpose of their jihad is, it is certainly not entirely true if jihad is interpreted as an effort to fight and take up arms. Even though providing for the family and contributing wealth to the poor also includes Jihad.
Once again we should suspect that the fall of ISIS could have a significant impact on its sympathizers. Aside from being shocked, the collapse of this radical group certainly could trigger resistance from their sympathizers in continuing the struggle through other groups.
If so, it still wants Indonesia to be hit by the notion of radicalism to the act of terrorism that makes a commotion. Still want to hear the phrase “Allahu Akbar” but intend to harm someone?
) * The author is a social media activist
