The head of National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), Comr. Gen. Suhardi Alius inaugurated Baitul Muttaqien mosque and Quran learning center (TPA) in the home village of death row convicted terrorist of Bali Bombing I, Amrozi, in Tenggulun village, Lamongan district, East Java, Friday.

"The construction of this mosque is a proof of our commitment to help the people going to the right direction, in order to uphold humanist values when dealing with terrorism," Alius said in a press statement received by Antara.

The mosque and Quran learning center will be directed to be center of moderate and tolerant Islamic preaching, as well as to serve as place of radical alignment so in the future there will be no misconceptions related to religious teachings, particularly about jihad.

Saying that the funding of the construction came from donors and not using the state budget fund (APBN), Alius also mentioned the contribution of Lingkar Perdamaian Foundation (YLP) led by former terrorist, Ali Fauzi, to build the mosque.

According to him, the foundation founded by dozens of former combatants of terrorism can be a successful example of the deradicalization efforts being promoted by BNPT.

YLPs director Ali Fauzi expressed his happiness and pride of being the agencys partner in the efforts to prevent the development of radicalism and terrorism, especially in Lamongan which once was dubbed as the birthplace of terrorists.

Fauzi, who is Amrozis younger brother, said that the synergy between BNPT and his foundation is important to give former terrorists and their families chance to get better.

"No good people have no past, and no bad people have no future, each of us has a chance to change for the better," he said while delivering a speech.

At the end of his speech, Fauzi expressed a hope to see more people leaving radical values and terrorist groups.

During the inauguration, some former terrorists read the pledge to be faithful to the Unitary State of Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). 

A number of high ranking officials such as Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, member of presidential advisory board (Wantimpres) Sidarto Danu Subroto, Istiqlal Mosques High Priest Prof KH Nasaruddin Umar, national figure Syafii Maarif, Chairman of the Special Committee for the Revision of Anti-Terrorism Law Muhammad Syafii and Lamongan Regent Fadeli were present in the event.

Reported by Sigit Pinardi
 

Source: ANTARA