Syrian Ambassador: We Will Not Provide Visas for Jihad
Wednesday, 09 August, 2006 | 12:55 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Muhammad Darwis Baladi, the Syrian Ambassador to Indonesia, has stressed that Syria will not provide visas for Indonesian citizens who want to go on jihad to Lebanon.

“We will not provide visas for jihad unless there is a permit from Indonesian officials,” said Baladi when contacted by Tempo via cellular phone yesterday (8/8).

In spite of the purpose to visit Syria, according to him, all visa requests will still be studied first.

Baladi said that so far there had not yet been any visa requests from Indonesian citizens.

However, entry visas have been granted for three or four Indonesian reporters who will cover the war in Lebanon.

Syria and Jordan are the access points for people who intend to go to Lebanon because Israel has devastated the airport in that country.

General Sutanto, the Republic of Indonesia Police Chief, has forbidden jihad volunteers to go Lebanon or Palestine.

He is of the opinion that their departure would only worsen the situation.

Although the ban has been announced repeatedly, civilian volunteers from regions have said they plan to go on jihad to Lebanon.

Yesterday (8/8), the Mujahidin Council gathered 500 volunteers for jihad.

“The first phase target is around 20 people,” said Haris Amin Fallah, Head of Majelis Mujadihin for DKI Jakarta area.

The technicalities, he said, are still discussed with the Lebanese and Palestine Embassies in Jakarta.

Preparations for leaving are also being arried out by North Sumatra Islam Defenders Front (FPI) volunteers.

Gathering at the Al-Qanithin Mosque estate, Medan, they appear to be busy working on the departure plan.

Najib Lubis, one of five FPI volunteers who planned to leave, stated he is ready for jihad fighting Israel.

For this, he acknowledged having prepared himself with martial arts abilities and fighting knowledge from books he had read.

Faisal, Erwin D, Rudy P, Adi M, Syaiful A and Sahat S