Abu Bakar Ba'asyir: Best to Avoid Violence
Friday, 16 June, 2006 | 17:30 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Sukoharjo: Cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir has advised Islamic devotees not to weaken their faith. He has requested them to have a firm conviction and to be able to uphold the Islamic Sharia.

“But we can't reflect conviction by committing violent and injurious acts,” he said in the Friday prayer sermon at the mosque of the Islamic boarding school Al Mukmin Ngruki, Sukoharjo today. It was the cleric's first Friday prayer at the school after being released from jail.

In his speech, Ba'asyir said that today the ordeal faced by moslems are not as difficult as the ones confronted by the Messenger. Despite his experiencing various tribulations, the Messenger never withdrew in order to affirm his faith and to declare the truth.

“As a result, you’ll be accused as a terrorist, such as me. Or you'll be accused as radicals, hardliners and fundamentalists,” Ba'asyir added. The Prophet Mohammad was once charged as crazy and was threatened with assassination. Yet, today Moslems will only serve in prison as their toughest test.

Therefore, he said that there must not be any doubts for Moslems to keep their faith until they’re called on their deathbed. Faith in Islam is costlier than any worldly matter.

Anas Syahirul