“He is suspected of having blasphemed against Islam.” Islamic Tolerance Alert from modern, moderate Indonesia: “Indonesian atheist faces jail after Facebook post,” from AFP, January 20 (thanks to Kenneth): PADANG, Indonesia “” An Indonesian civil servant who declared himself an atheist on Facebook was arrested and is now facing jail for blasphemy after being attacked […]
Indonesia: Sunni-Shi’ite conflict simmers in East Java
“There’s still a tendency to see these things in Sunni-Shia terms. But the Middle East is going to have to overcome that.” – Condoleezza Rice, January 2007. Yes, somehow, there’s still a tendency to see the Sunni-Shi’ite conflict as a conflict between Sunnis and Shi’ites. We have seen outbreaks of persecution of Shi’ites in Pakistan, […]
Pigs may fly: Indonesian gov’t may “finally” move against thugs of Islamic Defenders Front
Indonesia is markedly more relaxed in its approach to homegrown Islamic supremacist thugs (see also: the church saga in Bogor) than ones with international connections, though they have shown a rather soft touch at times in the latter case as well. As long as the local groups focusing on harassing Christians and Ahmadis, intervention has […]
Indonesia: Muslims shouting “jihad” vandalize security post, demand alcohol ban
The Islamic Defenders Front demands a ban on alcohol, the Muslim way: with a near-riot, vandalism, and threats of jihad. And what about the sizable number of non-Muslims in Indonesia, who may want to drink alcohol? Pah! Who cares about them? “Indonesia Islamic group rallies to demand alcohol ban,” from Reuters, January 12: JAKARTA | […]
Indonesia: Muslims enraged by call for a “friendly Islam”
It’s a Religion of Peace, and if you ask us to behave as if it is, we’ll attack you — this appears to be a guiding principle of the Islamic Reform Movement. “Bumper Sticker Sparks New Clash at Indonesian Church,” by Vento Saudale for the Jakarta Globe, January 2: Bogor. A bumper sticker prompted members […]
Indonesia: Islamophobes torch Shi’ite boarding school — no, wait…
Actually it looks as if the perps were Sunni Wahhabis. Odd. We hear so much more about “Islamophobes,” and yet those who are accused of that particular trumped-up malady never seem to do any acts of violence to rival those committed by Islamic jihadists. “Shia Islamic Boarding School Torched, Police Do Nothing: Allegation,” from the […]
Indonesia: Christian congregation forced to celebrate Christmas at member’s home after threats from Islamic group
Once again, is there still a government in Jakarta? The Yasmin Church of Bogor has a supreme court decision on its side, but the mayor and local thugs have stood in their way with impunity. It is standard operating procedure for Jakarta to turn a blind eye to homegrown abuse of non-Muslims, for that is […]
Indonesia: Punk rock fans detained in Aceh may face further indoctrination and harassment
They were held incommunicado from their families and kept away from school and work for ten days. They have completed their ten-day detention, but are not free. There will evidently be follow-up indoctrination, and they remain under the thumb of authorities. Is there still a government in Jakarta? One could be forgiven for doubting. The […]
Indonesia’s Christmas tradition: Turning a blind eye to persecution and intimidation of Christians
Indonesia routinely takes the path of least resistance with its homegrown Islamic supremacist thugs, and the path of least resistance is to offer them little to no resistance in response, even offering compromises. But those who persecute Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, and others with near impunity will eventually turn on the state that has enabled them […]
Robert Spencer and Michael Coren discuss Islam in Indonesia
I was on the nonpareil Michael Coren’s Sun TV show tonight, discussing that alleged bastion of peaceful Islam, modern moderate Indonesia. Video thanks to Vlad Tepes.