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All returnees from Syria required to join deradicalization program
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In synergy: National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) head Comr. Gen. Suhardi Alius (left) shakes hand with Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) head Ma'ruf Amin (right) after a workshop in Jakarta on March 22. (Antara/Sigid Kurniawan)
T
he National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) is requiring all Indonesia people returning from Syria to join a deradicalization program.
They will receive sermons from religious figures — ulema and ustadz (Islamic teachers) — for a month in Bambu Apus, East Jakarta before they are returned to their homes.
The Islamic State (IS) terror group used to control large territories in Syria and Iraq, but the governments of the two countries helped by foreign troops have managed to retake significant amounts of territory from the group.
“Who can guarantee they will not be radical? As a prevention act, we will give them enlightenment through this deradicalization program,” BNPT chief Comr. Gen. Suhardi Alius said in Jakarta on Monday as reported by Antara.
“Once they have finished the program, we will take them to their houses,” said Suhardi, adding that the BNPT had been informed that hundreds of Indonesians had come back from Syria.
He said that his organization was collecting information on the returnees, who would be verified before being required to take part in the program.
“We already know the names. Hundreds of them have already returned and live throughout Indonesia,” he said.
Suhardi said his organization would cooperate with local governments and the Home Affairs Ministry to actively supervise the returnees. (ecn/bbn)
