School and university students joined with the Semarang chapters of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) wing organizations, namely the Indonesian Islamic Students Movement (PMII), the NU Students Association (IPNU) and the NU Female Students Association (IPPNU), to stage a rally against the Islamic State (IS) militant group on Sunday.

The demonstrators made speeches and spread out banners emblazoned with messages showing their rejection of the IS in the rally held at Bundaran Air Mancur on Jl. Pahlawan in Semarang, Central Java.

PMII Semarang chairman Abdurrahman said the IS radical movement had spread fear across countries whose citizens had previously respected Islamic values.

'€œThe IS has tainted Islamic values. The radical group is being cowardly since its members have attacked their own Muslim brothers and sisters, spreading fear among people who were initially interested in following Islam, in European and African countries and other regions around the world,'€ he said.

Abdurrahman said their fears came from messages showing the slaughter, rape and other brutal acts perpetrated by IS militants spread through mass media. '€œThese contradict Prophet Muhammad'€™s missionary endeavors, which were peaceful and sympathetic to all people, like what he had done in Madinah '€“ later known as the Madinah Chapter,'€ he said in the rally.

Semarang residents enjoying the Car Free Day event on Jl. Pahlawan signed IS-rejection statements written on the banners. The demonstrators also presented theatrical performances depicting the brutal acts of IS militants, such as slitting the throats of their hostages.

Amirul, a student from a university in Semarang, said the IS was a radical terrorist movement operating for certain global goals.

'€œThey did their brutal acts in the name of Islam to get support from Islamic organizations while, in fact, they are terrorists,'€ he said.

Another demonstrator, Zainal Abidin, said he was apprehensive about the recently circulating news about 500 Indonesian citizens were were suspected to have joined with the IS and who planned to return home sometime in the future.

'€œIf they return home and make a similar movement in Indonesia, this will be a threat to Indonesia. For us, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is a fixed price we must defend,'€ he said.

The NU school and university students went on to say that the IS movement did not bring any benefit for either Islam or other religions, or for Indonesia as a nation. '€œThus, we urge Semarang residents to reject the IS,'€ said Abdurrahman. (ebf)(++++)

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