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Jihad warning over Indonesian cleric arrest
By Amy Chew
JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) -- Supporters of Indonesian Muslim cleric, Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, accused by regional governments of having links with al Qaeda, have warned of mobilizing the masses to wage a jihad or holy war if he were arrested. Abu Bakar Ba'asyir is accused of being the spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, a regional militant group whose members have been arrested in Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines in connection with plans to bomb U.S. targets across the region. "If Ustad [teacher] is arrested based on a request by foreigners, on accusations of being a terrorist without any proof, then we will call upon Muslim youths to prepare to sacrifice their body and soul to defend and protect ulama [teacher]," Mudzakir of the Surakarta Muslim Forum told a press conference which was called by Ba'asyir on Thursday. Asked whether it included taking up arms he said, "We will do whatever there is to do." Ba'asyir sat next to Mudzakir but said he personally had not entertained such thoughts. Terror suspect probeThe warning comes as the Indonesian government prepares to travel to the U.S. to question a detained terrorist suspect, Omar Al-Faruq, who had linked Ba'asyir to Jemaah Islamiyah. The allegations were reported by Time magazine last month. Coordinating Minister for Security Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the results of the investigation would form the basis on what steps to take in regards to Ba'asyir . "The confession of Faruq is something we want to clarify. It could be true, it could be false, it could be partly true, partly wrong. Based on that, we will see what steps will be taken in the future," Yudhoyono told reporters after a cabinet meeting on Thursday. Faruq, a Kuwaiti national, was arrested by Indonesian authorities in June and handed over to U.S. officials before being interrogated by the CIA. According to the Time report, Faruq said Ba'asyir was the spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah which has ties with al Qaeda. Arrest callForeign governments claim Indonesia has not been doing enough in the war against terrorism and have made repeated calls to apprehend Ba'asyir. But Ba'asyir remains a free man in Indonesia, with authorities saying there is no evidence to link him with acts of terrorism. The Indonesian cleric has demanded that Al-Faruq to be brought back to Indonesia so that he be given a chance to confront his accusations. "I ask for Faruq to be brought back here so I can confront him," said Ba'asyir . Ba'asyir's lawyer, Mahendradatta, say there are signs his client will be arrested. "From the statements from officials, where they have not stated clearly he will not be arrested, I can tell he [Ba'asyir] will be arrested. They are trying to shape and win public opinion -- that Ba'asyir is a terrorist before they make their move," Mahendradatta said. Ba'asyir also called upon Muslim journalists to defend Muslims in the country. "As for Muslim journalists, it's up to you, whether you want to defend Muslims or America. If you defend America, then it is hell, because America is an infidel," he said.
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