Welcome Guest   |  Login   |   Signup
JG Logo
Sat, May 26, 2012
Archive Search

Reformed JI Militant Tells His Story in Graphic Novel
Febriamy Hutapea | September 10, 2011

Share This Page
2
7
0
1
Share with google+ :


Post a comment
Please login to post comment

Comments

khalidroc
11:53am Sep 11, 2011

To read a translated version of Nasir Abas's book, read or download from here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/45768813/Uncovering-Exposing-Jamaah-Islamiyah

  • Previous
  • 1
  • Next

A former member of the Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist network launched a graphic novel on Friday aimed at teaching children what he said was the correct meaning of jihad.

Nasir Abbas, who was once one of Southeast Asia’s most-wanted terror suspects, now says his decision to join the terrorist network was “a mistake.”

The Indonesian-language graphic novel, whose title can be translated as “I Found the Meaning of Jihad,” describes the inner struggle Nasir experienced during his time as a militant.

“This [book] is my jihad,” he said. “I should clarify that what I believed in the past was wrong.”

Nasir added that he regretted and apologized for his past actions, which he said were based on an incorrect interpretation of jihad, or holy war.

Based on my religious understanding, he said, jihad entails making financial and physical sacrifices for the protection and promotion of Islam.

The 136-page graphic novel was launched ahead of the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

It deals with all of Nasir’s experiences, from his introduction to JI and his rise to an important position in the network believed to have been behind a string of deadly bombings.

Nasir left the terrorist group shortly after the 2002 Bali bombings, which claimed 202 lives, and has been working closely with the police to hunt down and arrest his former comrades ever since.

Praga Aditatama, a spokesman for Lazuardi Birru, the non-profit that published the graphic novel, said it took two years to create. The project was funded by donations from people who share Lazuardi Birru’s goal of fighting terrorism, he said.

Around 8,000 copies of the graphic novel will be distributed for free at Islamic boarding schools, regular schools, mosques and libraries around the country, he said. A total of 10,500 copies will be printed, Praga added.

“This is a heavy theme for teenagers. But with the use of visuals in the book, they can easily learn and understand that an incorrect understanding of Islam can have a negative impact,” he said. “We offer a new concept to spread a peaceful message.”

Sidney Jones, a security analyst at the International Crisis Group, has said it is important for reformed jihadists to talk directly to young people to keep them away from being radicalized. “It would send a powerful message to the young about the dangers of terrorism and how it contradicts religious teachings,” she said.

The chairman of the Indonesian Terrorism Bombing Victims Association (Askobi), Wahyu Adiartono, said the graphic novel would be an effective means to introduce young people to the real meaning of jihad.

“It aims to support the struggle against terrorism, and we hope there will be no more terrorist attacks and victims,” he said.