Pronunciation: [lˈaskɑː d͡ʒɪhˈɑːd] (IPA) 
The spelling of "Laskar Jihad" is quite straightforward. "Laskar" is pronounced /ˈlaskar/, with stress on the first syllable. "Jihad" is pronounced /dʒɪˈhɑd/, with stress on the second syllable. The term refers to a militant Islamic group that operated in Indonesia from 1998 to 2002, although the group is now defunct. The word "laskar" means army or troops in Indonesian, while "jihad" means struggle or holy war in Arabic.
Laskar Jihad is a militant Islamic organization that originated in Indonesia. The term "Laskar" translates to "warrior" or "militant" in Indonesian, while "Jihad" refers to the concept of holy war in Islam. Therefore, Laskar Jihad can be understood as the "Warrior's Struggle" or "Militant's Holy War".
This organization was founded in 2000 by militant cleric Jafar Umar Thalib and aimed to establish an Islamic state in Indonesia, specifically in the Maluku islands. Laskar Jihad gained notoriety for its involvement in the conflict between Muslims and Christians in the Maluku region. The group recruited and trained Indonesian Muslims to fight alongside local Muslim communities, commonly employing guerilla tactics against Christian communities.
Laskar Jihad's primary objective was to defend and advance the rights of Muslims in Indonesia, but their methods often involved violence and armed conflict, leading to numerous casualties and widespread destruction. It emerged during a period of religious tension and communal violence, which it sought to exploit for its own radical agenda.
The Indonesian government eventually banned Laskar Jihad in 2003, following the group's involvement in numerous acts of violence and their growing influence among radicalized individuals. Despite the ban, remnants of Laskar Jihad continue to exist, and some members have gone on to join other extremist groups both within Indonesia and abroad.
The word "Laskar Jihad" is derived from two different languages.
The term "Laskar" is an Indonesian word that means "militia" or "armed forces". It is commonly used to refer to paramilitary or guerrilla units.
The term "Jihad" is an Arabic word that means "struggle" or "striving". In Islamic context, it refers to a holy war or a righteous struggle, often used to describe the struggle against non-believers or to defend the faith.
When combined, "Laskar Jihad" roughly translates to "armed forces of struggle" or "militia of holy war". It was the name chosen by an Indonesian militant group that operated in the early 2000s. The group aimed to establish an Islamic state in Indonesia by waging a violent campaign against non-Muslims and moderate Muslims.
