Minister Of Religion: If They Are Left Alone, They Are Like COVID-19, So They Must Be Arrested

Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas/DOK Private Instagram

BANTUL - Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas called terrorists like the COVID-19 outbreak, which can be contagious, so the police must arrest them.

"Yes, if a terrorist radical is caught, it's good, you can't let it go," said the Minister of Religion in response to the arrest of two suspected terrorists by the National Police's Anti-Terror Detachment 88 in Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY), quoted by Antara, Thursday, February 10.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Religion while attending the Declaration of Interfaith Youth Harmony held by the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) DIY in Bantul Regency.

"If left alone, they (terrorists) are like COVID-19, like Omicron, if they are allowed to spread everywhere, they must be arrested," he said.

Regarding the interfaith declaration activity, the Minister of Religion said it was an important step as an effort to reaffirm the religious moderation movement as the foundation of the Indonesian nation.

"Instead of fading, but reaffirming, I think it is important that this Indonesianness is built on diversity, this Indonesianness is built on diversity," he said.

Therefore, the Minister of Religion welcomes the role of Indonesian youth from interfaith who restate their commitment to Indonesianness, diversity, and diversity.

"They state that the Indonesian identity is based on diversity, so if those who reject diversity, those who reject diversity, they reject Indonesia," said the Minister.

In addition, the Minister of Religion hopes that the declaration of interfaith youth harmony in DIY can be followed by other regions.

"So I think this confirmation is important and hopefully it will be an inspiration for young people, friends of youth in other places," he said.