Extremists Attack Peaceful Demonstrators in Jakarta, Indonesia; A Statement from Robert L. Salas with Information from Anand Krishna, Anand Ashram Foundation, Indonesia, a United Nations NGO
JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 23 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 1, at the National Monument in the central district of Jakarta, Indonesia, an event took place that was little noticed by the world press but could have major implications for world politics and the international "War on Terror." During a peaceful rally by dozens of organizations representing people from various religions in celebration of Pancasila, the Indonesian concept of embracing all religious beliefs in their society, the crowd was attacked by a mob of some 200 club-wielding Islamic extremists. As a result of this attack, dozens of demonstrators were injured, some seriously injured. The attackers are considered to be members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), one of a growing number of extremist groups who are now resorting to violent means in their attempt to institute a radical form of Islam in the country to the exclusion of other religions.
There are some disturbing facts surrounding this violence. First, the attackers seemed to be allowed to organize themselves with their weapons in plain view of the police who had been assigned for crowd control. Second, there were only a few of the attackers who were arrested who are currently facing prosecution. In addition, two government Ministers have announced their support for some of the attackers and have called for their immediate release without further investigation. This stance stems from the fact that there was a recent joint ministerial decree by the Home Minister, the Minister of Religious Affairs, and the Attorney General which permits criminal prosecution for "spreading interpretations and activities which deviate from the principal teachings of Islam." Apparently, that decree accommodates the use of mob vigilante violence, as demonstrated by this event.
Understandably, the June 1 incident has come to the attention and the concern of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The USCIRF is an official U.S. Commission associated with the U.S. State Department and provides policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State and the Congress. On June 11, the USCIRF issued a recommendation that calls on the U.S. government to urge President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to reverse the ministerial decree and prosecute anyone using violence to intimidate any religious minority in Indonesia.
These recent events have major implications because Indonesia is a country of nearly 300 million people, most of whom practice the Islamic faith. It has become a prime target for Islamic extremists. If they were to gain a strong foothold in Indonesia, as they seem to be attempting, the battle against such extremists worldwide would become exponentially more difficult.
For further information, contact: Mr. Anand Krishna at ashram@anandkrishna.org in Indonesia or Mr. Robert Salas at rsalas@ojai.net in the U.S.
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Greetings from Indonesia
From Jill Townsend (Ex Hollywood Artist and Model) – She wrote and sent this letter herself to KBRI in America and others important address in Europe and US.
Dear
I is a great distress for me to write this letter. I struggle to do so. All of Indonesia became a hero to me in the 1960’s when a series of meetings took place over a six month period that resulted in brilliant The Manila Accord and ASEAN.
Since then I, and many others, have held Indonesia and the others that signed this Accord with great esteem. The process used to reach this agreement was creative and, in many diplomatic circles, put forward as an example for other conflicts in the Middle East, Southern Africa, the South Atlantic and beyond. The process allowed for each country’s representative to express their fears and aspirations without interruption; from there they progressed to exploring possibilities while still not negotiating. Negotiation was held off until a vision of what the future could look like was seen by all. Then began a gentle search through Socratic dialogue for agreement. And only then did the negotiations begin, ensuring success since at this point every country knew where a great future lay. Your future lay in respect for your differences and every country’s agreement was to protect this diversity when threatened. For years I have spoken of this Accord as an example of how we should ALL work towards peace: with respect for each other and the determination to support the differences between us. I have held this country as the world’s guiding light for peace. Please tell us this is not lost now. Please write me that this ‘shining light’ that I have held up for so many years has NOT descended into hatred and violence.
I have read of the violence from 200 extremists/radicals on June 1st on your peace loving citizens – people who gathered to celebrate the peace and diversity you are so famous for honoring. This aggression against innocent people has shocked and saddened me. Now I understand that out of 50 held by police, only 7 remain in custody, and due to political pressure from 2 of your ministers, the case is moving at a very slow pace. Does this represent an unwillingness to defend peace and diversity? It is your country that taught me that the greatest teaching, written or spoken, of any prophet or holy person is the way of peace. Peace is truly a way of being that is allowed by all and not made by a few.
I await a reply and am hopeful that our beloved Indonesia will come back to being the country that leads the world in respecting the peace and diversity of all.
Yours truly,
K. Jill Townsend
The Council of Grandmothers, Ojai, California
Deputy Director (RET.), The Foundation for International Conciliation, Geneva, Switzerland
Dear
I is a great distress for me to write this letter. I struggle to do so. All of Indonesia became a hero to me in the 1960’s when a series of meetings took place over a six month period that resulted in brilliant The Manila Accord and ASEAN.
Since then I, and many others, have held Indonesia and the others that signed this Accord with great esteem. The process used to reach this agreement was creative and, in many diplomatic circles, put forward as an example for other conflicts in the Middle East, Southern Africa, the South Atlantic and beyond. The process allowed for each country’s representative to express their fears and aspirations without interruption; from there they progressed to exploring possibilities while still not negotiating. Negotiation was held off until a vision of what the future could look like was seen by all. Then began a gentle search through Socratic dialogue for agreement. And only then did the negotiations begin, ensuring success since at this point every country knew where a great future lay. Your future lay in respect for your differences and every country’s agreement was to protect this diversity when threatened. For years I have spoken of this Accord as an example of how we should ALL work towards peace: with respect for each other and the determination to support the differences between us. I have held this country as the world’s guiding light for peace. Please tell us this is not lost now. Please write me that this ‘shining light’ that I have held up for so many years has NOT descended into hatred and violence.
I have read of the violence from 200 extremists/radicals on June 1st on your peace loving citizens – people who gathered to celebrate the peace and diversity you are so famous for honoring. This aggression against innocent people has shocked and saddened me. Now I understand that out of 50 held by police, only 7 remain in custody, and due to political pressure from 2 of your ministers, the case is moving at a very slow pace. Does this represent an unwillingness to defend peace and diversity? It is your country that taught me that the greatest teaching, written or spoken, of any prophet or holy person is the way of peace. Peace is truly a way of being that is allowed by all and not made by a few.
I await a reply and am hopeful that our beloved Indonesia will come back to being the country that leads the world in respecting the peace and diversity of all.
Yours truly,
K. Jill Townsend
The Council of Grandmothers, Ojai, California
Deputy Director (RET.), The Foundation for International Conciliation, Geneva, Switzerland
Ministers support FPI
Permit me to draw your attention to my first desperate call for help last month. I am compelled to write to you again on this matter, since the situation has worsened.
Two of our ministers have issued public statements supporting the chairman of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), Habib Rizieq and his organization.
They are those in charge of co-operatives and forestry. These ministers represent two different political parties, supporting the government.
Indeed there are a couple of such other parties. So far, however, they have been supporting from behind the scenes.
Such support definitely has political implications, and has weakened the thrust of police investigations (into the attack by FPI members at the National Monument (Monas) park in early June.
One of the ministers, in a recent statement, made an appeal for the release of Rizieq and to declare his organization not guilty.
Right now, only seven out of more than 50 suspects originally detained are still in custody.
I once again make an appeal to the world community to help us in this matter. In view of the latest happenings in the Philippines and Pakistan, if these radicals are not punished, then not only this region, but the entire world will become their playground.
ANAND KRISHNA
Jakarta
The Jakarta Post | Sat, 07/12/2008 11:41 AM | Opinion
A Desperate Call for Help - II
--------- Indonesia, July 3rd 2008 ---------
To: The Heads of United Nations’ Member States, andThe Distinguished Members of the World Community
Permit me to draw your attention to my first desperate call for help dated 11th June, 2008. I am compelled to write you again regarding this matter, since the situation has worsened.
Two of our ministers have issued public statements supporting the notorious Rizieq and his gang. They are: Mr. Ali, the Minister in charge of co-operatives and small scale industries, and Mr. Kaban, the Minister in charge of forestry. These two ministers represent two different political parties (Religion based, in this case Islam), supporting the government. Indeed there are a couple of such other parties, in support of the radicals. So far however, they have been supporting from behind the scene.
Such statements definitely have political implication, and have weakened the spirit of investigation of the Police Department.
Mr. Ali, in his recent statement, made an appeal for the release of Riziek and to declare his gang not guilty. Right now, only 7 out of more than 50 suspects originally detained are still in custody.
I once again make an appeal to World Community to help us in this matter. In view of the latest happenings in
Please help us……
Anand Krishna
See Also... A Desperate Call for Help - I
Response 1:“We will help! We will write the letters. And PLEASE stay safe!!!! If you are NOT safe - come back to your home in
-- Jill Townsend, Chairperson Council of Grandmothers, Ojai Chapter
Response 2:
From: Marilyn Salas
Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 11:56 PM
To: Konsulat
Dr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa – Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations
Trie Edie Mulyani – Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in New York, the United States
And to various news media and agencies in the United States
Cc: foreign@nytimes.com; info@ap.org; washington@nytimes.com; rachel.meranus@prnewswire.com (dan masih banyak media yang lain)
Subject: Violent Act Against Peace Demonstrators in
My heart is heavy that I even feel so compelled to write this letter...
I have known the writer of the attached letters (Part I and Part II), Anand Krishna, since 1993. Anand Krishna ("Krishna"), as you may know, is a very well-known spiritual leader and peace advocate in
I am writing to you to bring to your attention a reported horrific act of intolerance, brutality, and violence directed against peace-loving citizens of
I ask you to read the attached letters written by Krishna for the details of the June 1st, 2008 incident in
I strongly appeal to you to do whatever you can to see that sacred justice be served, to take steps to insure that innocent people be protected, and that their rights as citizens of Indonesia allow them to practice their belief system (either publically or privately)...whatever that belief may be...that these basic human rights be protected! The cherished freedom of belief for all individuals in the diverse segments of societies and cultures around the world, including the right to assemble in peaceful ways, needs to be honored in every country of the world....let Indonesia be the model for the world in supporting and protecting these basic human rights...upholding the dignity for each individual...upholding the dignity for all of humanity!
Most sincerely,
Marilyn Salas
Ph: 805.640.7101
Response 3:
From: Robert Salas
(Attached to the U.S. Embassy in
Letter: Open letter to Rizieq, Munarman
May peace be upon both of you.
Source -> www.thejakartapost.com
I hope I am not crossing the line when I say I hope that peace is upon both of you. Because I know first hand that you both have no peace within yourselves. And how do I know? From the Monas tragedy on June 1.
I witnessed the tragedy with my own eyes, in fact I was one of the victims with severe injuries myself. The attack was led by Munarman, as well as a group led by Habib Rizieq. The tragedy caused myself and several of my brothers and sisters to be badly injured. Physical wounds may heal, mental trauma can also be handled with therapy. But the way I see it, it is both of you that are hurting badly.
I have never seen such hatred and anger in a human. And I can't imagine what burden you have had to carry all this time. Your hatred, your anger and the violence that follows can eat you alive. After all you have violated the rights of other citizens in the name of a religion, which may spark national disintegration. It was also an insult to Pancasila and the Constitution.
But I still appreciate both of you as Indonesians. You cannot deny it with any reason -- both of you, I and other survivors are brothers and sisters, we are Indonesians. We live on this land, we have the same bond, the same memory of this country.
Although we were born into different family religious backgrounds. You were born into a Muslim family and I was born into a Hindu family. You are men and I am a woman. I believe there is one thing we have in common, which is that we are Indonesians.
The thing is that differences are inevitable, they are a certainty. There is nothing you can possibly do to eliminate it, including the existence of sects in a religion.
Pancasila, with its "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity) slogan, is what unites this country. Our country consists of thousands of islands, many different tribes, races and religions, that have been united for many years by Pancasila. Again, this is not something you can deny. The question is, why are you so scared of it? If I am not mistaken, differences are a blessing from God, according to your Koran, right?
Therefore, I suggest you start to find some peace in yourselves. Manage your hatred and your anger in healthier ways, such as singing and dancing. I guarantee, you will find beauty everywhere. And you will find the beauty in difference, which previously always fired you up. Oh, by the way, if you are finished with yourselves, do not forget to spread it among your group. Indonesia will be much better off without hatred.
NYOMAN AISANYA WIBHUTI - Yogyakarta
Mon, 06/30/2008 10:49 AM | Reader's ForumSource -> www.thejakartapost.com
Nino Graciano
Text of This Video, Presenter and The Victim (Nino Graciano)
Almost a week has passed since Battalion of Islam Commando’s attack on the National Alliance for Freedom of Religious Beliefs’ Peace Rally. Up until now, the victims are still being treated physically and psychologically.
No one can deny that the supposed-to Peace and cultural Rally held by the National Alliance for Freedom of Religious Belief had become a tragedy. The rally just started when a mob calling themselves Battalion of Islam Commando came and attacked the National Alliance’s gathering.
One of the victims was Nino Graciano, a family member of Indonesia’s first President…
The 31 year old man was not expected that his initial intention to attend the Celebration of Pancasila’s birth turned into a violent incidence.
Nino: From a far they walked toward us and we politely gave way to them. Suddenly they surrounded us while we hadn’t even started our activities, such as checking sound system, and they attacked us. My friends and I feel as if our nation was attacked and assaulted.
The attack on Nino and his friends was stopped after police came. However, Nino has suffered many injuries on many parts of his body and a slight concussion. ….
Nino: It’s painful. We wanted to have a peace rally, a cultural demonstration celebrating Pancasila’s birthday, a carnival, suddenly we were assaulted. I don’t know, maybe the pain would take a long time to heal.
Nino and the rests are hoping that this kind of incident would not happen again, a mob trying to force its perspective by using violence. Differences in a nation should be handled wisely and not by violent acts.
Indonesia, the Ahmadiyya and radical Islam
Listen Now - 18062008 |Download Audio - 18062008
Radical Islam in Indonesia is on the march, and the religious pluralism enshrined in the doctrine of Pancasila is coming under direct attack. Last week the Indonesian government has issued a joint ministerial decree telling the heretical Muslim Ahmadiyya movement to 'stop spreading interpretations and activities' which deviate from orthodox Islam. That decree has implications for other minorities as well, including liberal and reformist Muslims, and the moderate Wahid Institute (named for former president Abdurrahman Wahid) says the country is on the brink of becoming an Islamic state.
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