Islamic Defenders Front

Islamic Defender’s Front is a religious group that was formed in the late 1990s. It advocates for a strict interpretation of Islam. It became infamous for raiding bars and brothels and intimidating religious minorities. Indonesia banned this group after its spiritual figurehead, Rizieq Shihab, returned from self-exile in Saudi Arabia. The government feared that he would use opposition forces against President Joko Widodo by using Islam as a rallying cry.