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 […]
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 […]