Founded In::
2000
Home Base:
Java, Indonesia
Status:
Laskar Jihad announced it was disbanding in 2003. Some believe it is reconstituting in West Papua.
Notable attacks:
Between 2000 and 2001, the group took control of Ambon, the capital of the South Moluccan islands, and with the use of armed force, attempted to impose Islamic rule on the island. The Indonesian government later re-established control, but has not disarmed the group.The group participated in deeply destruction responsive violence between Muslim and Christian groups between 1999 and 2000.
It conducted raids against Christians and churches in Ambon in 2000.
Objectives:
Backing and Affiliations:
Laskar Jihad have been accused of having relationships with the Taliban, the Philippines group Abu Sayyaf and Al Qaeda. Whatever relationships may exist, the group emerged from a local situation and seeks, primarily, to affect a local situation.
Read more about: Abu Sayyaf group | Al Qaeda
Origins:
Jihad is the military wing of a group called the Communication Forum of the Followers of the Sunna and the Community of the Prophet (Forum Komunkasi Ahlus Sunna wal Jama'a or FKAWJ), which was founded in 1998 by Ja'far Umar Thalib. The Salafist group aimed to aid Muslims, as conflict between Christians and Muslims grew. They created Laskar Jihad ? the armed wing of the group ? in 2000 and sent them to the Moluccan islands.
Historical Context:
To a degree, the political conflict between Christians and Muslims in the Indonesian Moluccan islands led to the creation of Laskar Jihad. This conflict is rooted in preferential treatment beginning in the 17th century of Christians by Dutch East India company, which was permitted by the Dutch government to colonize the island. Over time, many of the island's inhabitants converted to Christianity to receive these benefits, resulting in an island with nearly equal numbers of Christians and Muslims.
When the Moluccan islands were folded into the newly created state of Indonesia, in 1949, strains developed between the Christians of south Molucca, who feared losing their privilege, and Muslims who had previously been disadvantaged and now lived in a state that was predominantly Muslim.
These tensions were managed or otherwise kept in check by government policies designed to enhance the Muslim situation, and by varying degrees of repression, for over40 years. In the mid-1990s, President Suharto (who became president in 1968), the delicate balance of ethnic groups began to erode, while Islam took on a more political role, with state backing. This encouraged the creation of groups such as the FKAWF. The region was also affected by the politicization of Islam in the Middle East.
2000
Home Base:
Java, Indonesia
Status:
Laskar Jihad announced it was disbanding in 2003. Some believe it is reconstituting in West Papua.
Notable attacks:
Between 2000 and 2001, the group took control of Ambon, the capital of the South Moluccan islands, and with the use of armed force, attempted to impose Islamic rule on the island. The Indonesian government later re-established control, but has not disarmed the group.The group participated in deeply destruction responsive violence between Muslim and Christian groups between 1999 and 2000.
It conducted raids against Christians and churches in Ambon in 2000.
Objectives:
- Establishment of an Islamic state in Ambon
- Protecting Muslims from Christian violence in Ambon, the capital of South Moluccan islands
- Humanitarian aid--for example, the group runs a hospital in Ambon
Backing and Affiliations:
Laskar Jihad have been accused of having relationships with the Taliban, the Philippines group Abu Sayyaf and Al Qaeda. Whatever relationships may exist, the group emerged from a local situation and seeks, primarily, to affect a local situation.
Read more about: Abu Sayyaf group | Al Qaeda
Origins:
Jihad is the military wing of a group called the Communication Forum of the Followers of the Sunna and the Community of the Prophet (Forum Komunkasi Ahlus Sunna wal Jama'a or FKAWJ), which was founded in 1998 by Ja'far Umar Thalib. The Salafist group aimed to aid Muslims, as conflict between Christians and Muslims grew. They created Laskar Jihad ? the armed wing of the group ? in 2000 and sent them to the Moluccan islands.
Historical Context:
To a degree, the political conflict between Christians and Muslims in the Indonesian Moluccan islands led to the creation of Laskar Jihad. This conflict is rooted in preferential treatment beginning in the 17th century of Christians by Dutch East India company, which was permitted by the Dutch government to colonize the island. Over time, many of the island's inhabitants converted to Christianity to receive these benefits, resulting in an island with nearly equal numbers of Christians and Muslims.
When the Moluccan islands were folded into the newly created state of Indonesia, in 1949, strains developed between the Christians of south Molucca, who feared losing their privilege, and Muslims who had previously been disadvantaged and now lived in a state that was predominantly Muslim.
These tensions were managed or otherwise kept in check by government policies designed to enhance the Muslim situation, and by varying degrees of repression, for over40 years. In the mid-1990s, President Suharto (who became president in 1968), the delicate balance of ethnic groups began to erode, while Islam took on a more political role, with state backing. This encouraged the creation of groups such as the FKAWF. The region was also affected by the politicization of Islam in the Middle East.