Lotfi on a do-or-die mission
(The Star) – Former PAS member Mohd Lotfi Ariffin is on a do-or-die mission in Syria.
His elder brother Zainon, 52, said Lotfi went to Syria to fight for a cause.
“We know he has gone there to die. He is passionate about fighting for his cause,” he said.
“The civilians are trapped in an armed conflict zone. The international media is not reporting the killing of civilians, including children, women and the elderly in Syria,” said Zainon.
“Lotfi is among the many jihadists who have gone there to fight. They believe they will die as martyrs,” added Zainon.
Lotfi, 46, has eight children aged between eight months and 17 years. His baby son was barely two months old when he left for Syria in January.
He did not return home when his 41-year-old brother died of a heart attack in March.
“Of course, the children miss their father very much. But it is a path their father has chosen,” said Zainon, who is the eldest of five all-male siblings.
Lotfi stressed on his Facebook posting that he was not a member of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) terror network that has shocked the world with its ruthless killing spree.
“I am actually with Ajnad As Syam, which is not a well-known movement.
“And I am in Syria not because of this or that faction. I am here because of jihad fi sabilillah (fight in Allah’s cause),” he said.
