In a Kedah madrasah, students told to follow slain jihadist’s footsteps

The madrasah in Kedah, as shown in the New York Times video, where Mohd Lotfi Ariffin taught before he went to Syria to join the battle against President Bashar al-Assad. – January 15, 2015.A new video by the New York Times (NYT) has tracked the life of slain Malaysian jihadist Mohd Lotfi Ariffin, who died last September fighting alongside Isis militants in Syria.

"The Jihadist in Our Family" features the religious teacher and former PAS member’s journey from his hometown in Kedah, where he had opened a madrasah with his brother Mohd Zainol Ariffin, to Syria, where he joined dozens of other Malaysians in the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad.

In the nine-minute video, Zainol, 53 (pic, right) was shown telling his students to follow in the footsteps of his slain brother, who also taught at the school.

"People wonder why our religious teacher, who seemed so gentle was willing to wage jihad for Allah in Syria. That he was willing to leave his children and wife," he said in the video.

"As students, we should follow the path of our teacher Mohd Lotfi."

Lotfi, who was former Kedah PAS Youth information chief, courted controversy last June when he disclosed his involvement in Syrian civil war.

He was later sacked from PAS after the Islamist party said it did not condone or encourage members to join armed movements.

NYT noted that the father of six was also active on social media in documenting his journey — "posting photographs and videos from Syria, some lighthearted travelogues and other posts depicting the gruesomeness of the war there".

Students and followers at the madrasah, the NYT observed, seemed taken in by Zainol's sermon.

"If we want to go to heaven, we must die an honorouble death," student Yusran Budiman told the NYT.

"One of the easiest ways is to die a martyr. Personally, I would like to die a martyr."

Principal assistant director of the Counter Terrorism Division of the Special Branch at Bukit Aman, SAC Datuk Ayub Khan Mydin Pitchay told the NYT that Lotfi's "charisma" was one factor his followers were drawn to go to Syria to join him.

Mohd Lotfi Ariffin's charisma encouraged many of his followers to join him in the Syrian battle, according to police. – Facebook pic, January 15, 2015."He had a lot of charisma. So they want to go join him. They managed to recruite members from various backgrounds. Students, professors and professionals," he said.

Lotfi's eldest son Ahmad Salahuddin said the family was "thankful" that he had been killed because he had achieved martyrdom.

"When we heard that he had died, we were thankful. He had achieved what he sought. It's not easy to become a martyr. Allah has to choose you. And Allah chose him. Praise God," he said.

Zainol added: "We are proud because we have a teacher who is pious and who was willing to fight for Islam with his body, life and soul. And so as students, we should learn from him, our teacher who has left us."

It was previously reported that at least 59 Malaysians have joined Isis.

More than 60 have been arrested by police either on their way to Syria and Iraq or on their way back since the start of last year.

According to reports, at least six Malaysians have died in Syria and Iraq fighting for Isis. Officials also said a former Malaysian Armed Forces commando was among 135 Isis-linked militants detained by Saudi Arabian authorities in Riyadh last month. – January 15, 2015.