REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian Ulema (Muslim scholars) Council (MUI) now has an Extremism and Terrorism Management Agency (BPETMUI), which aims at tackling radicalism. Chairman of the agency Zainut Tauhid Saadi said the body has a stronger position.

"Because we want to be more serious in dealing with radicalism and extremism issues," Zainut said on the sidelines of the National Seminar on "the Dangers of Radicalism and Extremism in Indonesia" held here on Wednesday.

He said the agency was originally a Counter Terrorism Team, which was formed in 2003. It was an ad hoc or temporary body. The team was formed through an agreement of Muslim scholars under the Indonesian Fatwa Commission.

Zainut pointed out that terrorism had been established as a criminal act against humanity and the civilization. It was a serious threat to the national sovereignty and security, world peace, and society.

According to him, terrorism is a form of transnational well-organized crime and is classified as an extraordinary crime that does not differentiate its targets.

"When we were still a team, we made efforts to prevent and overcome terrorism. At that time, we expanded and deepened the people's understanding about the true Islam," he said.

In the near future, the Extremism and Terrorism Management Agency will play its role in preventing extremism, radicalism and terrorism through discussions, seminars and socialization that touch upstream elements. Upstream elements are still rarely touched upon by many parties dealing with radicalism.

Such programs involve members of the MUI, academics, universities and schools.

"We focus on how to provide an understanding about the true Islam, introduce radicalism, extremism and intolerant behaviors. Because these three ideologies are now emerging along with the rapid advancement of technology," he said.

Zainut noted that the challenge of preventing terrorism today was faced because of the development of information technology. A hoax is very easily flashed through a gadget that is now commonly owned by all people, especially the younger generation.

Young people, he said, will be the target of the Extremism and Terrorism Management Agency.

"Today, many young people are using smart phones from which they can get hoaxes. Being affected by a hoax and over trust, a certain person can make another behave intolerant. Intolerance could grow into radicalism and extremism," he said.

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