IT was the end of April 1942. Japanese occupation forces had taken over the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School in Jombang, East Java. The Dai Nippon forces had captured Hasyim Asy'ari-the school's leader and founder-along with some of his relatives and students. "There was a traitor among us," said Muchit Muzadi, 87, Hasyim's student, two weeks ago, recalling the incident.

Hasyim Asy'ari's group was taken by a military car to the Jombang prison. Some tim