“He attended a traditional Islamic school in Pakistan for around three years,” Irfan S. Awwas, Jibril’s uncle, told journalists.

However, Irfan didn’t elaborate further on the name of the school.

Information about Jibril’s experience overseas is important to the police, who are investigating his international links to terror networks.

Muhammad Jibril Abdul Rohman alias Muhammad Ricky Ardhan, has been detained since Tuesday as the police suspect he is one of the international couriers who helped distribute funds used to finance the bombings of two Jakarta hotels in July.

Jibril’s father Muhammad Iqbal alias Abu Jibril, previously refused to give a clear statement about Jibril’s activities abroad.

“He only went on a Umrah pilgrimage last year,” he said.

When asked whether Jibril had been involved with the Al Ghuroba study club, many members of which are suspected al-Qaeda couriers, Irfan did not provide a straight answer.

Instead of answering the question, he asked back, “What's wrong with joining Al Ghuroba? It has never been declared as a forbidden organization in Pakistan.”

Gun Gun Rusman Gunawan, a member of the Al Ghuroba study group, was sentenced to four years in prison by the Central Jakarta District Court in 2004 after he was  found guilty of assisting terror activities organized by the fugitive terrorist Noordin M. Top and the late Dr. Azhary Husein.

Gun Gun is also the brother of Hambali, a Jemaah Islamiyah regional leader who is currently in detention at Guantanamo Bay.

Along with five of his friends, Gun Gun was deported from Pakistan in late 2003 after the Pakistani authorities uncovered his activities with al-Qaeda there.

Irfan, who is also the chairman of the Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI), went to the National Police headquarters in attempt to meet his nephew.

But apparently the police did not grant his wish.

With regard to Jibril’s experience overseas, police spokesman Insp. Gen. Nanan Soekarna said Wednesday the police were still investigating his passport.

“We are now studying his overseas travel record through his passport,” he said.

In addition to arresting Jibril, the police also questioned a Saudi Arabian by the name of Ali Muhammad bin Abdullah alias Al Khalil Ali, over similar allegations.

Ali has been accused of being an international courier who helped find donors to finance the activities of the terrorist group led by Noordin.

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