Joining Islamic State 'forbidden': Indonesian religious body

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the highest Muslim organisation in the country, Thursday banned Muslims from taking part in the activities of Islamic State (IS) Sunni insurgent group, a top official of the council revealed here.

The MUI declared "haram" or forbidden, according to Islamic teaching, for Muslims to participate in the activities of the IS, Xinhua reported citing Ma'ruf Amin, deputy chairman of the council.

He explained that the attempt by the IS to establish an Islamic caliphate was against the Islamic teaching as it was undertaken with violence, such as murder among Muslims, damaging religious buildings and forcing its interests.

"Because the status of IS is 'haram', its followers are considered supporting haram activities," he told a press conference at the MUI headquarters here.

Indonesia's anti-terror desk has previously warned Indonesians who were interested in joining the IS that they would face legal sanctions.

The call for Indonesians to take part in the struggle of the IS, which has already been stamped as a terror group by the international community, was broadcast through Youtube by Indonesian militants who had already joined it.

On Monday, Indonesian National Police Chief Gen. Sutarman disclosed that as many as 56 Indonesian militants have taken part in IS activities, including in armed conflicts in Syria.