By Ayu Arman, Common Ground News Service
Jakarta – After more than ten years of hiding after leaving the Negara Islam Indonesia (NII) or Islamic State of Indonesia movement, Mataharitimoer has re-emerged with a surprising autobiography, Forbidden Jihad, a Story from the Underground. In the following interview, Eddy Prayitno, a.k.a. Mataharitimoer, describes the NII’s vision and methods for implementing Islamic law.
AA: Your book’s title, Forbidden Jihad, compelled many people to read the book, especially in this era of global terrorism, when the word “jihad” is associated with “terrorism.” What do you mean by this title?
Mataharitimoer: The word “jihad” described what the NII’s members call Jihad fi Sabilillah, a fight to enforce the law of God in the form of an Islamic country. However bad others perceptions might be towards them, they still state that they are conducting jihad in the Way of God. Their jihad is to turn Indonesia into an Islamic country. And because the NII has threatened the stability of the state, it has become “forbidden”.
AA: What drove you to write the novel?
M: According to the NII, if one leaves the organization, he has become an apostate, although he might still consider himself a practicing Muslim. When I left the NII, my friends were wondering why I apostated (murtad) when I had a bright career in the movement. My answer to them was: “I promise that when the time comes, I will write a book that explains why I have had to leave this Islamic movement.” It is that promise that drove me to write Forbidden Jihad.
AA: In Forbidden Jihad, you said you’re still dealing with the trauma from the violence practiced by NII members. Was it vengeance that compelled you to write?
Mataharitimoer: If I still felt vengeance, I would do a lot more than just write a novel. I would reveal their secrets and divulge the whereabouts of the NII leaders. But I haven’t done that. As for dealing with the trauma, frankly speaking, I am still traumatised today by the movement’s violent methods. I have been terrorised, slandered, beaten, caged and even bribed by the NII in order to prevent me from leaving.
AA: What is the real vision and mission of NII?
Mataharitimoer: Its real vision is a country based on Islam where the highest law is the Qur’an and hadith. In 1949, Indonesia had no government as a result of the Renville Agreement [a Dutch-Indonesian accord which aimed to resolve unsettled disputes from a previous settlement]. The vision and mission of the NII, as stated by Imam Sekarmadji Maridjan Kartosuwirjo at that time seemed ideal to me. His vision of an Islamic country was inspired by the Medina Charter, inaugurated by Muhammad (SAW). During the time of the Prophet, Medina was a just state for Muslims, Jews, Christians and anyone else who lived there.
AA: How has the NII deviated today from Kartosuwirjo’s vision?
Mataharitimoer: The most principle deviation is that they do many things to harm the image of Islam. They think that only their group is representative of the truth and Islam. They hardly accept criticism and rely more on violence than dialogue to spread their message. This runs contrary to Islam as a religion that aims to spread love to the world (rahmatan lil ‘alamin).
AA: Is the concept of an Islamic country compatible with democracy?
Mataharitimoer: Islam cannot be compared with democracy because democracy is only a tiny part of the people-government interaction. Democracy is only one of many solutions for countries led by an authoritative leader. It can be in line with Islam, but it doesn’t mean Islam is democratic. Islam appreciates and guarantees plurality and the needs of people, but it doesn’t accept people as the source of truth, which could lead to totalitarianism in the name of people’s will.
AA: If the concept of an Islamic country is good, true, ideal and can be applied, should we export it just like the West “exports” democracy?
Mataharitimoer: Islam is a religion that is open to innovation. Islam can accept the concept of Western democracy with several alterations. The question then arises, is the West willing to open up and “import” Islam? I think the ideal situation is that regardless of who we are, and despite our ideological differences, we should try to walk hand in hand, instead of humiliating each other. In Surah Al-Hujurat in the Qur’an, it is written that God has created different genders, ethnicities, races and nations so that human beings would acknowledge and respect each other, not divide and fight one another.
AA: Can’t democracy bring justice and peace to the world?
Mataharitimoer: Whatever it is, democracy, theocracy, or nomocracy, success depends on the honesty and kind-heartedness of human beings. Regarding the concept of an Islamic country itself, are justice, equality, brotherhood and wealth guaranteed? Which country can provide that guarantee?
AA: Aren’t you afraid you might be terrorised, kidnapped, or even murdered as a result of writing this novel?
Mataharitimoer: I don’t know whether these things will happen to me or not. I only hope groups such as the NII are wiser towards critics now. If they become annoyed, however, I realize the risks I have to face. Life is a choice, and every choice has its risks.
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Ayu Arman is a freelance journalist and lives in Jakarta. She is the former editor of the biggest Muslim women’s magazine in Indonesia. This article is distributed by the Common Ground News Service (CGNews) and can be accessed at www.commongroundnews.org.