Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the highest Muslim organization in the country, on Thursday banned the Muslims from taking part in the activities of ISIS, a top official of the council revealed here.

The MUI declared "haram" or forbidden according to Islamic teaching for Muslims to participate in the activities of ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), Deputy Chairman of the council Ma'ruf Amin said.

He explained that the struggle of ISIS to establish an Islamic caliphate was against the Islamic teaching as it was undertaken with violence, such as murder among Muslims, damaging religious buildings and forcing its interests.

"Because of the status of ISIS is 'haram', its followers are considered supporting haram activities," he told a press conference at the MUI headquarters here.

Indonesia's anti-terror desk has previously warned Indonesians who are interested in joining ISIS that they will face legal sanctions.

The call for Indonesians to take part in the struggle of ISIS, which has already been stamped as a terror group by international community, was broadcast through Youtube, conducted by Indonesian militants who had already joined it.

On Monday, Indonesian National Police Chief General Sutarman disclosed that as many as 56 Indonesian militants have taken part in ISIS activities and they have participated in the armed conflicts in Syria. Endi