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
SunniIslamist 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."
Abdurrahim Thayib (aka Abdurahim bin Toyib) - A former teacher who was sentenced to Nine years in prison in February 2009 for aiding and abetting JI military commander Abu Dujana.[8]
Fadlullah Hasan. - Gold that was stolen from a bank and converted to cash was deposited in Hasan's bank account, before being used to finance the Bali attack.
Fathur Rahman al-Ghozi, - who was killed in Mindanao, Philippines. He was convicted in the December 2000 bombing of a Manila commuter train in which 22 people were murdered.[1][5]
Zulkarnaen - led an elite militant squad, whose members were recruited from hundreds of Indonesians who trained in Afghanistan and the
Philippines.[11]
Abdul Rauf also known as "Sam bin Jahruddin". Bali bombings suspect, member of JI cell with
Imam Samudra. Attended Pondok Ngruki from 1992 to 1997. Reportedly helped make the Bali bombs.[12] Reported as killed, fighting in Syria. [13]
Aris Munandar, - alleged to be a JI fundraiser and who is still at large.