“Morality” policing is a cheap and lazy way for a government to look busy and effective. It is a tool of intimidation and political pandering where Sharia has tied the right to rule to Islamic piety. As even Imam Rauf knows, Sharia is a package deal, and its reach into every area of life sets […]
Indonesia: Interior ministry tries appeasement to end standoff with Muslim mayor ignoring court order on church opening
From this story: “The Supreme Court ruled in December 2010 that the closure was unlawful and ordered its reopening, but the city administration continues to ignore the ruling. Mayor Diani Budiarto has used several excuses to keep the church closed, most recently saying there should not be a Christian church on a street with an […]
Indonesia: “Islamic extremists” push for demolition of five churches
Once again, this is a fight over permits. The permit system for houses of worship in Indonesia is one example of a crafty form of legislation in Muslim countries: laws that have the practical effect of allowing the enforcement of Sharia without the international and domestic political liability of spelling it out. Other examples include […]
Indonesia: Hundreds of “hardline Muslims” gather to denounce “arrogance” of church for continuing to exist
First, the congregation of Indonesian Christians continues to exist. The next thing you know, they’ll want to continue to exist with dignity in peace and security. The unmitigated gall! More on the unending saga of the Yasmin Church in Bogor, which has involuntarily found itself at the heart of Indonesia’s permit system charade, which is […]
Indonesia: Ahmadi mosque that operated for 21 years suddenly closed over permit violation
In this case, the violation does not concern the usual permit system that stacks the deck against non-Muslim houses of worship. This incident seems to involve a convenient technicality, as Indonesia tightens the screws against the Ahmadi sect across the country: in several provinces, they are banned outright. Also noteworthy is the matter-of-fact statement that […]
Indonesia: City outside of capital bans “sexy” advertising in mission to become “a religious city”
Creeping Sharia, just outside of Jakarta. Customers wield immense power where advertising is concerned, and may always vote with their pocketbooks where it crosses lines of decency or stupidity. Wouldn’t it be more impressive than a ban if pious residents of Depok took their business elsewhere en masse? That would achieve a more lasting social […]
Indonesia: Mayor blocks all access roads to church, in defiance of court order
This is the same mayor who earlier decided that churches can’t be built on streets with “Islamic” names. How higher levels of government respond to this latest escalation will determine whether we see more officials like Mayor Budiarto emerge in Indonesia. Behavior that is rewarded by inaction is likely to be repeated and intensified, as […]
Indonesia: Muslim violence against religious minorities “relentless”
When even the reliably dhimmi Time Magazine notices Muslim intolerance and persecution of people of other faiths (and “heretical” Muslims like the Ahmadis), you know the situation has gotten very bad in modern, moderate Indonesia. “The Other Indonesia,” by Emily Rauhala in Time Magazine, November 21: […] A key measure of the level of justice […]
Indonesia selling Sharia-compliant Islamic bonds today
Sharia-compliant Islamic bonds. The means compliant not just with Sharia’s rejection of interest, but with its denial of the freedom of speech, the freedom of conscience, and the equality of rights of women and non-Muslims. So the posters above can kick off the ad campaign. “Indonesia to Sell Seven-Year Global Islamic Bonds Today,” by Elffie […]
Indonesia: Attacker partially severs ears of deaf, mute Ahmadi man
Will the attacker be found? How much time will he serve? Or will the victim, if he survives, be charged for having had a machete for cutting wood? There is already a precedent for it, from the last high-profile wave of anti-Ahmadi violence. Many provinces in Modern, Moderate Indonesia have essentially blamed the victims for […]