2/6/2025 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) — Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), an Islamist organization disbanded by the government in July 2017, has re-emerged, challenging the government with a growing presence in multiple regions.
Several HTI flag-raising activities have occurred in Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Palembang, with the distribution of fliers containing calls to establish an Islamic state with a caliphate system.
Secretary General of the Central Leadership of the Ansor Youth Movement (GP Ansor) Ahmad Rifiqi Elmoe, known as Gus Rifiqi, recently criticized HTI’s increasingly open activities.
GP Ansor, a youth organization under the auspices of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), is active in youth, society, nationality, and religion. Rifqi highlighted how HTI has again openly voiced the ideology of the Caliphate by hijacking the issue of Palestine as a propaganda tool.
“We regret the permission given by the police for this action because it could be the embryo of the revival of the Caliphate movement, which the previous government has banned,” Rifiqi said. “Therefore, we urge the public always to be vigilant against all forms of action that potentially undermine the ideology of Pancasila and the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia.”
The government disbanded HTI through the Ministry of Law and Human Rights because it contradicted Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, and threatened the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia.
GP Ansor East Java also reminded all elements of society to remain vigilant against groups that try to promote ideologies that contradict Pancasila. In addition, GP Ansor asked law enforcement officers to act firmly by applicable laws to prevent societal unrest.
Indonesia is not alone in its prohibition of HTI’s activities. At least 20 countries have barred HTI from developing in their countries for several reasons, ranging from being considered a threat to state sovereignty and involvement in coups to involvement in acts of terrorism.
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