The explosion was probably kind of a red flag, as was a three-day standoff with students armed with machetes. “Indonesian police arrest head of Islamic ‘school’,” by Niniek Karmini for the Associated Press, July 16 (thanks to JCB): JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) “” Police in Indonesia arrested the headmaster of an Islamic boarding school Friday after […]
After accidental explosion and three-day standoff, Indonesian police find weapons, explosives, and jihadist literature in Islamic school
This all came about because of an accident. Sometimes, a jihadi’s last utterance is “Allahu akbar.” Sometimes, it’s “whoops!” An update on this story. “Police discover explosives, jihadist materials at school in Indonesia,” from CNN, July 14 (thanks to Jonathan): (CNN) — Authorities found weapons, explosives and jihadist materials at an Islamic school in central […]
Malaysia deports known terror operative back to Indonesia, rather than jail him
From “Malaysia’s Double Game” department: Here’s a troubling development which will raise no eyebrows here in Malaysia, but should certainly raise all sorts of troubling questions elsewhere. Namely, Malaysia’s choice to merely deport a terror suspect, rather than charge, try, or imprison him, should cast a harsh skeptical glare on Malaysia’s Muslim government and its […]
Indonesia: Explosion in bomb-making class at Islamic school kills teacher
It’s so hard for Islamic schools to get good bomb-making teachers these days: it’s a field in which it is hard to learn from one’s mistakes. But anyway, how many Christian boarding schools have bomb-making classes? How many Jewish boarding schools have them? How many Hindu boarding schools? Why is Islam different in this way? […]
Indonesia: Christians forced out of church building, hounded even as they tried to worship at the side of the road
This situation in Bogor is reminiscent of the one faced by another West Java congregation last year, in the adjacent city of Bekasi. They were denied the use of a building as a church, and faced brutal harassment even as they tried to worship instead in an open field. Lightning strikes twice in Modern, Moderate […]
Indonesia: Jihadists teaching jihad in prisons
As we recently learned from the second round of Peter King’s hearings, it is the height of “Islamophobia” to suggest that jihadists are recruiting for the jihad in prisons. And yet here is evidence that it is happening in Indonesia; of course, it’s inconceivable that anything like this could be happening in prisons in the […]
Sharia in Indonesia: “Obedient Wives Club” pretext for legalizing polygamy
“Good women are obedient….As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds apart and beat them.” — Qur’an 4:34 “And if ye fear that ye will not deal fairly by the orphans, marry of the women, who seem good to you, two or three or four; and if ye […]
Interfaith dialogue: Bomb threat to Catholic church in Indonesia
Whatever the suspicious object was that police detonated, this was an act of intimidation, intended to “strike terror” in the hearts of unbelievers (Qur’an 8:60) in a country where attacks against churches are a very real and immediate possibility. Just ask the people of Temanggung. West Borneo: bomb threats to a church, Catholics in the […]
Indonesia: Another top jihadist goes on trial
Abu Tholut was charged with “helping set up a terrorist training camp for a group that plotted attacks on foreigners and assassinations of the country’s moderate Muslim leaders.” Not that those leaders have been particularly helpful if one is, say, a Christian or Ahmadi. This jihadist group targeted Muslims as well, however. Fellow jihadist Abu […]
Indonesia: Jailed jihadist preacher says he won’t accept verdict because it’s against Sharia
Obviously, jihad isn’t a crime under Sharia, so in a court of his choice, he would get off scot-free. An update on this story. “Jakarta: Abu Bakar Baasyir gets 15 years. He reacts ‘Verdict contrary to Shariah’,” by Mathias Hariyadi for Asia News, June 16: Jakarta (AsiaNews) – “This verdict is unacceptable, that’s why I […]