Dr. Suratno (recently graduated in Frankfurt) of the liberal Paramadina University of Jakarta analyzed four concrete cases of Muslim hardliners, violent terrorists, who 'converted' in prison. They were the two Bali bombers (2002) Nasir Abas and Ali Imron, the leader of Laskar Jihad Ja'fat Umar Thalib and Eddy Prayitno alias Matahari Timur, the leader of Negara Islam Indonesia. In prison (at least for 1, 2 + 4) they realised taubah or conversion. Sincere? Their partly autobiographical stories give insight in ther minds and therefore should be taken serious.
Left is Prof. Gerrit Singgih of the Protestant UKDW University of Yogyakarta. Right Dr. Suratno of Paramadina
After Suratno, Prof. Sahiron Syamsuddin (by profession a specialist on Qur'an interpretation but the most prominent Muslim in this programme) gave an overview of definitions of radicalism in Islamic discourse and its remedies. As to definitions: they run from (too) literal interpretation of classical basic texts, efforts to erect an undemocratic Islamic State, when necessary with violence. A numbers if groups and personalities are mentioned. Fotr deradicalisation the secret service of Indonesia has progammes of hard power (prisons, death penalty) or soft power (cooperation with Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah and BNPT: Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Terrorisme). Also some transnational movement (participation of Indonesian in programmes like the World Parliament of Religions, an Indonesian chapter for WCRP, World Conference of Religions and Peace.
I know that the Jakarta Islamic University has a Gülen corner, but this movement is better known in the country for educational quality than for peace and dialogue initiatives. There was no mention of the 2005 Fatwas issudes by the national MUI, Majelis Ulama Indonesia rejecting 'pluralism' and inter-religious marriage.
Prof. Sahiron Syamsuddin is a great promoter of creative interpretations of the Qur'an, influential in the Nahdlatul Ulama.
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