- VIVAnews/ Fajar Sodiq
VIVAnews – The United States (US) government has listed Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT) of Indonesia, which is helmed by cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, as a foreign terrorist organization.
“It’s normal. America has always wanted to find excuses to curb Moslem activist movements. They have been issuing out statements that have cornered Islam. But, did they have any evidence in hand?” a JAT official, Abdul Rahim Ba'asyir, told VIVAnews, today.
The U.S. Treasury Department also mentioned that three of JAT’s officials were linked to Al Qaeda: Mochammad Achwan, Son Hadi bin Muhadjir, and Abdul Rosyid Ridho Ba'asyir.
Abdul Rahim, son of Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, questioned his brother’s (Rosyid) ‘relationship’ with Al Qaeda. “If America accuses us of having the connection with Al Qaeda, we need to ask first whether Al Qaeda exists or not?”
If Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al Qaeda, is a Moslem, “We then have a faith relationship as Moslems. But if America meant to say a partnership, what evidence do they have?”
Abdul Rahim pointed out that the United States has been deceiving. “Let’s just talk facts. We don’t have to take in their statement as is. We just take it lightly,” he said.
Earlier, the U.S. has announced sanction to freeze the assets of three people: Abdul Rahim, Muhammad Jibril and Umar Patek.
In the announcement issued on Tuesday, 16 August 2011, the U.S. Treasury Department stated that the three men have demonstrated their commitment to violence.
Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, David S. Cohen, stated in the U.S. Treasury Secretary’s website that, “Today’s actions are intended to disrupt their ability to access the international financial system to support their deadly agendas.”
