Understanding The Radicalism Of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah In Bima City, Indonesia

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explain the root causes of radicalism and the implementation of radical values by the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) group using Berger and Luckman's social construction analysis through the internalization, objectivation, and externalization processes. This study was a case study approach with semi-structured interviews conducted with members of the JAD group. The result indicated that radicalism within this group arises from dissatisfaction with the government's inability to realize an equitable life for its people, leading its members to engage in extreme actions in the hope of replacing the liberal government system. They used methods like da'wah with religious propaganda to instill radical beliefs in their followers. The internalization process was marked by the implantation of radical values, where at this stage, they have an incomplete understanding of religious transcripts such as the Qur'an and Hadith, resulting in the interpretation of all radical actions as manifestations of faith. The objectivation process involves the group members positioning themselves as an institution with strict rules systematically and continuously engaging in activities to defend the faith, known as i’dad. Externalization was marked as the implementation of values through acts of terror, such as violence against infidels and bombing of places deemed contrary to religion. The researchers argued that the radicalism within this group was based on Islamic ideology, wherein they sought to change the existing government system to be based on Islam, essentially aiming to restore a caliphate system and bring Indonesia back to an era of enlightenment.