Posted on 10/19/2001 9:47:09 AM PDT by Pericles
Friday October 19 6:31 AM ET
Indonesia Muslims Turn Out in Force Against U.S. Raids
An Indonesian Muslim woman shouts during a protest in Jakarta October 19, 2001, against the U.S.-led strikes on Afghanistan. More than 10,000 Muslims -- some singing 'our blood is boiling' -- marched through the Indonesian capital on Friday in the country's biggest protest to date against the U.S.-led strikes on Afghanistan. (Beawiharta/Reuters)
By Achmad Sukarsono
JAKARTA (Reuters) - More than 10,000 Muslims, some singing ''our blood is boiling,'' marched through the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on Friday in the country's biggest protest to date against the U.S.-led strikes on Afghanistan.
But there was none of the violence that has marred previous rallies in the world's largest Muslim nation and the rally broke up peacefully by later afternoon.
The protesters, including hundreds of veiled women in white, marched from just outside the main mosque, past the U.S. embassy and then down the main thoroughfare before stopping at the city's central roundabout, which is also outside the British embassy.
``We are angry, our blood is boiling. Until the end of time, we will defend all Muslims,'' thousands sang together, led by protest organizers using loudspeakers.
Some waved Palestinian and Afghan flags, others carried banners attacking President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair over the Afghan assaults.
``Bush and Blair, you are so cruel, you have started a crusade,'' said one banner.
Security was generally low-key, but hundreds of police, troops and water cannon guarded the U.S. and British embassies or were on standby nearby. Traffic continued to flow slowly as police erected signs reading ``sorry, there is a demo.''
Earlier, Vice President Hamzah Haz who heads the country's largest Muslim party, appealed for an end to the protests, warning they could damage the impoverished country.
``We're facing an extraordinary dilemma. If we make a wrong step we can fall into a ravine... therefore I'm asking our Muslim people to stop demonstrating,'' he said in a speech while opening a mosque. ``I'm afraid... if our actions do not express that Islam is grace from Allah, the name of Islam will be destroyed.''
Indonesia has been hit by growing anti-U.S. sentiment, including calls for a holy war from some small, hardline groups, since U.S.-led strikes on Afghanistan began on October 7 over the September 11 suicide hijack attacks on New York and Washington.
TREADING FINE LINE
The battered country and its secular president, Megawati Sukarnoputri, are trying to tread a delicate line between supporting a key ally and appeasing Muslim groups.
The capital has been relatively peaceful for most of this week after a violent clash between security forces and protesters on Monday and a police crackdown on radical Muslim leaders.
Worshippers at midday prayers on Islam's holiest day of the week were urged to show restraint, but also to be angry at the United States and its actions.
``We should not be provoked by anger,'' Muslim cleric Irfan Zidni told worshippers at the main Istiqlal mosque, one of the world's biggest.
``We should be angry at the inhumane actions of the United States and its allies, but we have to be wise in helping our brothers,'' he said.
``Let's help them now with prayers so that our brothers in Afghanistan can cope with the attacks from the enemies.''
INFIDELS
``Muslims will be infidels if they befriend people who expel fellow Muslims like the United States is expelling the Afghans.''
Afghanistan's ruling Taliban, targeted by a U.S.-led military campaign for sheltering Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network, have imposed their own strict interpretation of Islam on their country.
Washington accuses bin Laden of masterminding the September 11 attacks, which killed more than 5,000 people.
Vice President Haz, who has said the attacks on the United States should help cleanse Washington of its sins, appealed to Muslims to show solidarity with Afghanistan through charity and prayers, not protest.
``If we continue demonstrating, our country will become a poorer country,'' he warned. ``Many foreigners have left the country and the impact has been felt by our hotel industry and business community.''
About 90 percent of Indonesia's 210 million people are Muslim. Islam in Indonesia is generally moderate and peaceful.
"Mohammed is Allah's apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to the unbelievers but merciful to one another." (48:29, Quran)
"When the sacred months are over slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them, and lie in ambush everywhere for them. If they repent and take to prayer and pay the alms-tax, let them go their way. Allah is forgiving and merciful." (9:4, Quran)
The second statement is a contradiction of the first, apparently.
"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." and "If a child shall curse his mother or his father, then that child shall surely die." are from Exodus.
The Judeao-Christian-Islamic religion has a dark side. No reason just to pick on the Islamic strain.
Some waved Palestinian and Afghan flags, others carried banners attacking President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair over the Afghan assaults.
``Bush and Blair, you are so cruel, you have started a crusade,'' said one banner.
Not yet. But that can be arranged... you mignt not like it, though...
AB
Prophetic? They may be calling the Hammer of Thor!
Is she saying that Bush and Blair stole planes, manned them with insane Muslims and used boxcutters to fly them into the towers and kill thousands?
I doubt Americans care much about the uninformed opinions of a bunch of ignorant water buffalo jockeys.
By their actions they are demonstrating that a line exists in the sand between the Islamic evil-doer and his non-Muslim victim.
Bring back Richard Coeur d'Leon!!
And soon it will be spilled.
That may be, but where in Bible or the Torah, exactly, are Christians or Jews exhorted to literally hunt and kill disbelievers?
The Spanish Inquisition, you say? Well, that took place during a time that we in the West freely admit was dark and uncivilized.
The time has come for the civilized peoples of the world to bring the light of reason and knowledge to those who have wallowed in the darkness of ignorance and repression.
I would put the Indonesian government on notice. Reign in your crazies or face our wrath. If not, we can expect Indonesian suicide bombers too.
Islam means "peace".
Duhhhh!!!!
Civilized people generally don't go in for the shouting in the streets kind of stuff when they want to do business or take a holiday.
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