BANGKOK – The hardline Islamic Defenders Front was banned by the Indonesian government on Wednesday and ordered to cease all activities less than two months after its ferocious leader, Rizieq Shihab, returned from self-imposed exile and promised to lead a “ moral revolution. “
In a statement signed by senior officials and the head of the national police, the government said members of the group were involved in terrorist and criminal acts and that the activities organized by the group disrupted public order.
Rizieq, 55, a cleric who claims to be a descendant of the prophet Muhammad, is accused of violating coronavirus protocols by holding meetings with thousands of people. He surrendered to the police earlier this month and faces up to six years in prison. Days before his arrest, six of his bodyguards were shot and killed by police in what the authorities said was self-defense. Mr. Rizieq remains in prison.
The group’s dissolution order stated that its government record had expired last year and that it was no longer a recognized organization. Now she is prohibited from carrying out activities and wearing her logo, a triangular symbol with a star in the center and her name in Indonesian and Arabic letters.
The government said 29 members of the group were convicted of committing acts of terror, but did not provide details or evidence. He said 100 were convicted of other crimes.
“With this ban, it has no legitimacy,” said Indonesian Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Mohammad Mahfud MD, referring to the group.
A spokesman for the group, Novel Bamukmin, said members would not be discouraged by the dissolution of the organization, commonly known by its Indonesian acronym, FPI
“They can dissolve the FPI, but they cannot dissolve our struggle to defend the country and religion,” he said. “If we want, we can declare a new mass Islamic organization this afternoon. If it is dissolved, we can make a new one continuously. Registered or not, we still exist. “
The Islamic Defenders Front was founded in the late 1990s, when the military regime was ending. At the time, top army generals created civilian militia groups like the FPI to help them maintain power.
The group soon became known for imposing its concept of Islamic law by vandalizing bars, pursuing rival sects and attacking gay and lesbian events. Over the years, it expanded its agenda to provide civil rescue services and evolved into a political and social movement, gaining many thousands of followers who were attracted by Rizieq’s anti-establishment message.
“Considering the group’s popularity and the widespread use of its symbols, the order will be difficult to enforce,” said Ian Wilson, senior professor at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia, who has followed the group since its early years. “Some will probably abandon it, but it will potentially radicalize others.”
Hours after the announcement, soldiers and police arrived at the group’s headquarters in Jakarta and removed a huge banner with Rizieq’s photo.
Rizieq, educated in Saudi Arabia, who co-founded the group and remained its most visible leader, has long been controversial. In 2017, he left Indonesia while facing a charge of pornography and charges of an extramarital affair and lived in self-imposed exile in Saudi Arabia.
When he returned to Jakarta in November, he was greeted by many thousands of supporters and in the following days he organized several large gatherings. He later apologized for violating coronavirus restrictions, but that was not enough to keep him out of prison.
Upon returning to Indonesia, which is officially secular, Rizieq also challenged the government of President Joko Widodo and promised to take Indonesia to a more conservative view of Islam.
In his recent sermons, Rizieq accused Joko and his government of leading the country into a crisis because the leaders lacked morale. He claims that being a moral person means following Islamic law, or sharia.
He also argues that Indonesia should be united under one God and that, since Muslims make up the overwhelming majority of Indonesians, they must have the power to apply sharia law and set the rules not only for Muslims, but also for all.
Another radical Islamic group, Hizbut Tahrir, was dissolved by the government in 2017 for promoting a state based on sharia law instead of secular principles.
“The FPI is destructive, disturbing and fuels intolerance,” said Jajang Jahroni, a professor at Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic State University in Jakarta. “Perhaps the dissolution is not effective. If members are still on the streets creating problems, they should be arrested and taken to court. ”
Richard C. Paddock reported from Bangkok and Dera Menra Sijabat reported from Jakarta. Muktita Suhartono contributed reporting from Bangkok.