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.
Showing posts with label Letter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Letter. Show all posts
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.
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.
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
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.
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
A Desperate Call for Help
Anand Krishna*
---------
- The Heads of United Nations’ Member States, and
- The Distinguished Members of the World Community
It is with much regret, and a deep sense of shame, that I write this about the atrocities in my country against the religious minorities. I am compelled to address the World Community, since my appeals to my own Government officials have bore no result whatsoever.
In recent years, the Muslim radicals and extremists here in
These radicals and extremists are not only intolerant toward the beliefs of the minority groups, but also against the somewhat secular ideology of the state and its very, very tolerant constitution.
Unfortunately, these radicals have been created by several political parties for their own political motives. Such practices – politics without principles – have given them much energy. Now, they have turned into monsters!
On the 1st of June 2008, my friends and colleagues from the National Integration Movement, and the Anand Ashram Foundation (affiliated with United Nations through Department of Public Information), joined the National Alliance for Freedom of Religious Beliefs in their Peace Rally and Campaign against Violence.
We were there with our musical instruments and equipments to sing, dance, and pass our message in a dignified, humane, and non-violent way.
As we entered the grounds where the National Monument is located (in
The Police came, albeit a bit late – after these criminals did their job of violence. Not one of them was arrested on the spot. The Police Department would later justify this by stating that any arrest on the spot would have created riots. However….that is the way it was…..
A few days later, after much pressure from the public and the media – one of the radicals who was admittedly responsible for these brutal attacks, injuring many, along with several of his gang, was arrested. (His name is Habib Riziek, and he is the most notorious of the radicals, and the head of a radical group named Front Pembela Islam, the Defenders of Islam). Another man, Munarman, who publicly announced that he was responsible for the June 1st incident, the self-acclaimed Commander of all Islamic Lasykars (Battalions), went “missing”.
Later, Munarman sent a video recording of his demands from his place of hiding, and I quote: “the minority sect Ahamdiyah must be banned”…..and then went on to say that only then would he give in to the police. True to what he said, and naturally, he is now being presented as a hero by those very radicals. He walked into the police office, and had himself arrested after the government issued a joint letter (signed by three ministers) summoning the sect to stop all their activities.
Now, thousands of their supporters, these very radicals can hold any kind of a rally…and campaign for just about anything in support of their detained mentors, and ask for their release.
Presently, all of us who bombarded the media…and the government officials…with thousands of appeals and petitions for their arrest – now live in a state of fear. If any one of these arrested radicals are released, then we all know that we will be attacked by them!
To make things worse, some of our ministers and high officials are openly supporting these radicals. In fact, one of the ministers (Minister of Co-operatives and Small Scale Industries, who also happened to be the head of one of the political parties supporting the present government) visited Riziek in jail; as did a cleric who is head of the Islamic group NU.
I therefore urge you to appeal to my government in
Increasing radicalism in this country will definitely affect the security of the entire world. It is, therefore, in the interest of the world community that, not only these two men, but also their supporters, be immediately arrested. The evidence is plentiful…and it is only the political will on the part of our government that is now required.
I am sure Excellencies, I shall not be disappointed….. God Willing, Amen….
*Spiritual Activist,
Defending Our National Ideology, Pancasila (The Five Principles)
Today was the 63rd anniversary of our National Ideology , Pancasila. Commemorating the occasion, at 1 PM Jakarta time, we (Alliance of Freedom for Religions, which includes also International Conference on Religion and Peace, National Integration Movement , Wahid Institute and about 50 more NGOs) gathered at the National Monument of Jakarta, to start a peaceful long march towards the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia.
When we were just arriving at the briefing spot, suddenly we were attacked by about 200 people dressed in white robes using weapons like bamboo sticks with nails on it and large stones, and hot sand. Since we were gathering in a circle, we were easy target for them. Looking at the weapons that were used, they were well prepared to attack us.
Based on some eyewitness, apparently HTI (Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia) which has been acclaiming themselves as Non Violence Group who loves peace, was involved in the action. Moreover , Munarman, one of the leaders of HTI was spotted at the scene.
This violent action was done so abruptly, they were even attacking women, elders and children.
Some of us also saw a little child being smashed to a wall by some of the radicals.
Since our action is a peaceful one, none of our people reacted to the violence, but that didn’t stop them.
The brutality kept going on and they also attacked some street hawkers, and everyone who happened to be on their way.
Some of our friends were wounded, mostly got stitches in their heads, amongst them are Joehannes (NIM Secretary), Imdad (ICRP Secretary), Nino (NIM’s Public Relation). Some of them are still hospitalized, like.
Ahmad Taher from Ahmadiyah (can’t move because badly injured), Aisanya Wibuthi from NIM (got Oedema Cerebry), and Guntur from JIL (Islamic Liberal Society) who’s under surgery due to nose fracture.
Indonesia is a country with so many cultures and religions, has been for many centuries, and the only thing to bind this big country is Pancasila. This is our solution for unity, founded by our founding fathers, President Soekarno and his friends in 1945. Therefore, any attempt against this ideology, is illegal in front of the law.
The violent action shown by FPI (Front of Islamic Defenders) today, is purely criminal and can be categorized as an attempt against Pancasila. By hiding behind religion sentiment, they have truly humiliated the name of Islam, and they have no right to claim themselves as representatives of this peaceful loving religion.
Contact Person:
Maya Safira Muchtar
President of National Integration Movement
Kompleks Ruko Golden Fatmawati Block J-35
Jakarta – Indonesia
Email: mayamuchtar@yahoo.com
nim@nationalintegrationmovement.org
When we were just arriving at the briefing spot, suddenly we were attacked by about 200 people dressed in white robes using weapons like bamboo sticks with nails on it and large stones, and hot sand. Since we were gathering in a circle, we were easy target for them. Looking at the weapons that were used, they were well prepared to attack us.
Based on some eyewitness, apparently HTI (Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia) which has been acclaiming themselves as Non Violence Group who loves peace, was involved in the action. Moreover , Munarman, one of the leaders of HTI was spotted at the scene.
This violent action was done so abruptly, they were even attacking women, elders and children.
Some of us also saw a little child being smashed to a wall by some of the radicals.
Since our action is a peaceful one, none of our people reacted to the violence, but that didn’t stop them.
The brutality kept going on and they also attacked some street hawkers, and everyone who happened to be on their way.
Some of our friends were wounded, mostly got stitches in their heads, amongst them are Joehannes (NIM Secretary), Imdad (ICRP Secretary), Nino (NIM’s Public Relation). Some of them are still hospitalized, like.
Ahmad Taher from Ahmadiyah (can’t move because badly injured), Aisanya Wibuthi from NIM (got Oedema Cerebry), and Guntur from JIL (Islamic Liberal Society) who’s under surgery due to nose fracture.
Indonesia is a country with so many cultures and religions, has been for many centuries, and the only thing to bind this big country is Pancasila. This is our solution for unity, founded by our founding fathers, President Soekarno and his friends in 1945. Therefore, any attempt against this ideology, is illegal in front of the law.
The violent action shown by FPI (Front of Islamic Defenders) today, is purely criminal and can be categorized as an attempt against Pancasila. By hiding behind religion sentiment, they have truly humiliated the name of Islam, and they have no right to claim themselves as representatives of this peaceful loving religion.
Contact Person:
Maya Safira Muchtar
President of National Integration Movement
Kompleks Ruko Golden Fatmawati Block J-35
Jakarta – Indonesia
Email: mayamuchtar@yahoo.com
nim@nationalintegrationmovement.org
To United Nations
National Alliance for the Freedom of Faith & Religion
To : United Nations
Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights
We would like to share our views on the conflicts in the name of Religion happening in Indonesia.
This is not the question of RELIGION, whereas, it's the matter of OUR RIGHTS, OUR FREEDOM, AND MOST OF ALL, OUR NATION..!!!
The Islam Defenders Front (FPI) attacked activists of National Alliance for the Freedom of Faith and Religion (AKKBB) on Sunday 6/1, at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta, Indonesia. Activists from the AKKBB were rallying on peace demonstrations to commemorate the 63rd year of Pancasila, state ideology. The group from FPI came in hundreds with stones, sticks and
attacked our brothers and sisters of the nation in public. Due to which many injured and hospitalized. These include inhabitants from all faith/belief/religion. Very surprisingly NO police action was taken on the spot!
To : United Nations
Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights
We would like to share our views on the conflicts in the name of Religion happening in Indonesia.
This is not the question of RELIGION, whereas, it's the matter of OUR RIGHTS, OUR FREEDOM, AND MOST OF ALL, OUR NATION..!!!
The Islam Defenders Front (FPI) attacked activists of National Alliance for the Freedom of Faith and Religion (AKKBB) on Sunday 6/1, at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta, Indonesia. Activists from the AKKBB were rallying on peace demonstrations to commemorate the 63rd year of Pancasila, state ideology. The group from FPI came in hundreds with stones, sticks and
attacked our brothers and sisters of the nation in public. Due to which many injured and hospitalized. These include inhabitants from all faith/belief/religion. Very surprisingly NO police action was taken on the spot!
Our nation is bound by the law of constitution and is not a country that supports violent acts. Indonesia is a lawful state not an anarchic state. We are not to be defeated by these violent actions.
We strongly condemn the attackers that caused injuries to our brothers and sisters. This violent and coward act will only impact to tarnish our country's civilization.
We request all souls from all nations to extend your support in writing and expressing your views to the Indonesian government to suspend this group from Mother Earth.
Save the World. Peace for all..
Prashant
Jakarta, Indonesia
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