Islamic Youth Told to ‘Take a Hike’: Bogor, West Java

By Barrie | April 20th, 2007 | No Comments

Seventy-one students trekking in the rain forest near Bogor on Thursday, found a surprise was waiting for them when they got back to camp. The students, who were being trained as young members of the Indonesian Islamic Preachers’ Association (Ikadi), could only stare in disbelief as police dismantled their outbound training ground in Megamendung, Bogor. Officers tore down nine temporary bamboo huts, including a musholla (prayer room). The camp is run by the Iqro Islamic Foundation according to a report by Theresia Sufa.

Police said the camp was built without a permit.

Police also dismantled several tents previously used as a camping ground for student representatives from schools in Greater Jakarta.

“We responded to a letter from the public order office warning us there was no permit for this training ground, asking them to clarify what we’ve done wrong,” said Suwito, a member of the foundation.

The letter said that the foundation had built the buildings on state-owned land without a permit.

The 1.5 hectare property where the training ground is located is overseen by a local resident, Aay, who has been the caretaker since 1996.

In 2003, Aay, in cooperation with the Iqro Islamic Foundation, started developing 2,500 square meters of the land as an outdoor training ground for youth.

The property has been under the foundation’s management since then.

Meanwhile, public order team representative Agus AS said police were merely carrying out instructions from the Bogor regency administration to tear down any buildings without a permit.

But not everyone agreed with Agus’ assessment.

“The students have been recruited to join training for young preachers,” said foundation member Hendra.

“And today they witnessed just how they should help build the nation … to fight against injustices such as this,” he said.

Theresia Sufa