RESPONS AL-ITTIHADIYAH DI SUMATERA UTARA TERHADAP RADIKALISME

Al-Ittihadiyah in North Sumatra and Its Responses to Radicalism. This study analyzes the response of the Al-Ittihadiyah in North Sumatra to radicalism. Lately there has been a counter-productive statement undermining the contribution of Islamic organizations other than Nahdlatul Ulama in building national civilization. Al-Ittihadiyah was established in Medan before Indonesia’s independence and its prominent leaders participated in gaining and maintaining independence. Information for this article has been gathered through combination of interviews, observations, and document reviews. Data analysis was based on the model developed by Miles and Huberman. It is concluded that Al-Ittihadiyah is a moderate Islamic organization, very much like the two top-flight Islamic organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah. This organization, through oral and written statement of the management, asserted that radicalism is against the spirit of Islam. They reject many of the ideas of radical groups such as the Caliphate, anti-West, jihâd means war, and the legalization of suicide bombings, while providing solutions to suppress the growth and development of radicalism in Indonesia