Two Metro TV Journalists Taken Hostage By Iraqi Mujahideen In Today's History, February 18, 2005

JAKARTA - Today 17 years ago, or February 18, 2005, to be exact, two Metro TV journalists, Meutya Hafid and cameraman Budiyanto, were taken hostage by the Iraqi Mujahideen. They were abducted while on a reporting assignment. The kidnapping made both of them surrender to the almighty. The line between life and death seemed close. Because both are in the battlefield. The hostage-taking opened the eyes of the world. How much life is precious, compared to even the most awaited news.

Meutya Hafid is one of the most reliable journalists in the country. Her work in the field of journalism is unquestionable. She is ready to cover anywhere. For the sake of maintaining professionalism as a journalist. This professionalism was then tested when Meutya had just returned from covering the condition of Aceh, which had just been hit by the tsunami.

Her editor, MetroTV sent her to cover Iraq's first election after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Meutya is not afraid. Even though the movement of Iraqi mujahideen fighters is still a frightening specter for news reporters.

Meutya departed accompanied by a cameraman. His name is Budiyanto. The purpose of the coverage, among others, is to present balanced news related to the current state of Iraq. So that news related to Iraq does not only contain narratives from foreign media, especially the United States (US).

Meutya and Budiyanto's arrival was at a time when conditions in Iraq were still not conducive. The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Iraq is still closed. Unfortunately, when they were covering the Ashura commemoration – the anniversary of the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson – in Karbala they were imprisoned. The Iraqi Mujahideen then became responsible for the confinement.

"During that time of confinement, I learned many things, especially in terms of being grateful for the little things in my life. In the middle of that simple-lit cave, I felt God's light shining on me."

“I feel I can interact directly with God. Feeling very intimate with God. That's what makes me stronger when facing captivity," wrote Meutya Hafid in the book Spiritual Journey of Muslimah (2008).

World Citizens' Attention 

Her hostage-taking got the attention of citizens of the world. Prayers and support for the two journalists to be safe appear together. The Indonesian government also made every effort so that both of them could be saved.

Meutya and Budiyanto themselves admitted that they were very scared. Moreover, the hostage-taker was carrying an AK 47 firearm. But both of them did not give up. Again and again, she explained to the hostage-taker that she was from Indonesia. In which, Indonesia's political stance did not support the Iraq War.

After all, Meutya and Budiyanto are both Muslim. After tough negotiations and with the assistance of the Indonesian government, the two were only released on the seventh day or 168 hours. Meutya wrote about her experiences in a book entitled 168 Jam Dalam Sandera: Memoar Jurnalis Indonesia yang Disandera di Irak (2007). As a form of learning for other journalists who cover conflict areas.

“Meutya Hafid's voice from MetroTV announcer, last Friday, sounded hoarse and stammered. This time she is not reading the news, but is giving a speech at the Sahid Hotel, Jakarta, marking the launch of her book entitled 168 Hours in a Hostage. That is the story when Meutya and cameraman Budiyanto were held captive by mujahideen in the middle of the Ramadi desert, Iraq, two years ago.”

“Meutya and Budi at that time were given the task of covering news in the land of a thousand and one nights, after the invasion of American troops and their allies. The accident came on a trip to cover the Ashura commemoration - the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson - in Karbala. They were released through tough negotiations between the Indonesian government and the mujahideen group,” wrote Tempo Magazine's report entitled Buku Sandera (2007).

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