Al-Mukmin Islamic school

The Al-Mukmin Islamic boarding school also known as Pesantren Al-Mukmin and Pondok Ngruki, is a pesantren ('Islamic boarding school') located in Ngruki, a suburb in the regency of Sukoharjo, Central Java, Indonesia. It was founded 1972 by the alleged 'spiritual head' of Jemaah Islamiyah, Abu Bakar Bashir, and by Abdullah Sungkar. Al-Mukmin's activities were initially limited to religious discussion after dhuhr (midday prayer). Following increasing interest, the founders expanded Al-Mukmin into a madrasah ('Islamic school') and then into a pesantren. It currently houses over 2000 students aged between 12 and 18.[1][2]

A number of people linked to the school have been implicated in a series of Sunni Islamist terrorist attacks; the International Crisis Group has described the school as an "Ivy League" for Jemaah Islamiyah recruits.[3] Pictures of AK47s are hung in hallways, and a sign above a classroom reads:[4]

"Death in the way of Allah is our highest aspiration."

"Live as a noble man or die as a martyr."

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference AT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Indonesians turn out to welcome freed cleric" The New Times, June 14, 2006
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference WP was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Jihad rules in Islamic schoolCNN February 26, 2004