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Muslim world unites to fight terrorism
Indonesia is at a crossroads. The largest Muslim-dominated country is all-out in fighting terrorism yet has reservations about joining the Muslim world’s unified efforts to combat terrorism.
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Indonesian peacekeepers with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) prepare to leave their base for a patrol near Al-Taybe, South Lebanon, 28 August 2009. In 2006, UNIFIL expanded its deployment to Southern Lebanon, a high-tension area near the Lebanon-Israel border (also known as the Blue Line), when the two countries resumed hostilities. (UN Photo/Pasqual Gorriz)
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he Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) held its inaugural meeting on Nov. 26 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, opened by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The coalition was established in 2015 with 34 countries as firstmembers. In just two years, it claimed its membership had increased to 41 countries, mostly members of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The IMCTC focuses on ideology, communications, terrorist financing and military issues. In addition, they collaborate with supporting international organizations such as the United Nations, the OIC and countries outside the coalition. The IMCTC respects the sovereignty of its members.
The resulting communiqué from the inaugural meeting among others asserted that the coalition members confront perceptions of extremism and terrorism with education and knowledge as the main tool to establish moderate Islam.
Regarding communications and terrorist financing domains, the IMCTC has stated it would improve cooperation with media sectors including by investing in digital media platforms, and seek to drain and cut sources of terrorists’ financial support. On military cooperation, members said they would work together to provide military capabilities including coordinating and integrating military efforts, exchanging information and intelligence and conducting training and joint exercises.
The international picture of the fight against terrorism is clear: the Muslim world stands united. Nevertheless, Indonesia is not a member of the IMCTC.
As some analysts argue, Indonesia’s Constitution does not allow any military involvement other than that with the UN. Indonesia has indeed been an active contributor to UN Peacekeeping operations since 1956, across three continents and 17 countries.
