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 […]
Indonesia: Jihadist cleric appeals already-reduced jail sentence
In the current legal climate in Indonesia, Abu Bakar Bashir is all too likely to be acquitted, or at least to score another major reduction in his sentence. Earlier, we wrote “how much Bashir actually serves of a 15-year prison term in Indonesia will be anyone’s guess.” There is still ample time to guess. “Indonesian […]
Indonesia: Muslim group calls for destruction of “un-Islamic” statues of other religions
They’re only destroying Christian or Buddhist statues when they appear in public places. If they’re kept inside churches or temples, that’s fine. This recalls the dhimmi laws that stipulate that non-Muslims must not make any public display of their religion, such as holding processions or ringing bells, but could practice it behind closed doors, in […]
Bridge for sale: Same Indonesian government ministry that called for ban on “heretical” Muslim sect now working on “tolerance” law
By all appearances, the proposed law promises to be yet another exercise in creating the official appearance of “tolerance” on paper, so that business as usual can continue in practice: the cards have been shuffled somewhat, but the dealer is the same, and the deck remains stacked against non-Muslims. Indonesia has tried this approach before, […]
Surprise! Indonesian court slashes top jihadist cleric’s jail sentence
When Abu Bakr Bashir was sentenced, we wrote: “how much Bashir actually serves of a 15-year prison term in Indonesia will be anyone’s guess.” The reduction in his sentence has occurred very quietly, with no explanation given. Now, it is officially down to nine years, and that will not be the end of the story. […]
Indonesia: 1,800,000 people take part in jihad terror networks
Tiny Minority of Extremistsâ„¢ Update from modern, moderate Indonesia: “Indonesia: About ‘1.8 million people’ have terror links,” from AKI, October 12 (thanks to C. Cantoni): Jakarta, 12 Oct. (AKI) – About 1.8 million of Indonesia’s 246 million people have potential links to terrorism, according to the country’s anti-terror chief. “The number is this. More or […]
Indonesia: Parents not getting diphtheria vaccines for children because they’re not sure they’re halal
We have seen this before. In Britain, the head of the Islamic Medical Association told parents that vaccines were haram. In Nigeria, jihadis struck a vaccine warehouse, and paranoia about vaccines being a U.S. plot to sterilize Muslims led to a polio outbreak. “Religious beliefs hinder vaccination in E. Java,” by Elly Burhaini Faizal for […]
Indonesian bishop: “Increasingly it is being demanded that Church schools offer Islamic religious instruction as soon as a few Muslim students are enrolled”
That tactic is being employed among other efforts in a concerted campaign of Islamization, including the migration of Islamic supremacists to Christian areas. “Bishop concerned about Islamization in Indonesia,” from Aid to the Church in Need, October 7 (thanks to Twostellas): Bishop Hubertus Leteng of Ruteng expressed his concern about growing Muslim extremism during an […]
Pope calls for Indonesia to respect freedom of religion in accordance with its constitution
The survival of the constitution as it stands is at the heart of Indonesia’s future: either it is a dead letter, or its protections are still in force. That is Indonesia’s choice in the coming years. It is indeed in the crosshairs, however, just as the national doctrine of Pancasila itself is under fire from […]