Explosion rocks Istiqlal Mosque<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A powerful blast rocked the basement of Istiqlal
\nGrand Mosque, the largest mosque in the region, in the heart of
\nthe capital on Monday, injuring at least four people performing
\ntheir late afternoon prayers.<\/p>\n
Dozens of glass windows from offices of several Moslem-based
\norganizations, including the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), were
\nshattered. The explosion, which occurred at 3:20 p.m, also
\nfractured walls of the 38-year-old mosque.<\/p>\n
Shortly after the explosion, tight security measures were
\ntaken at most major houses of worship in and around the city.<\/p>\n
The capital was tense as many shopping centers and
\nentertainment spots closed earlier than usual. Major
\nthoroughfares were deserted.<\/p>\n
Activities in the downtown Chinese area of Mangga Besar, home
\nto scores of night spots and Chinese food stalls, were not
\ndisturbed.<\/p>\n
President B.J. Habibie appealed to the public for calm and
\nurged the community not to be provoked by the incident.<\/p>\n
\"The President said this is an attempt to create disorder.
\nThis (explosion) seeks to create religious and ethnic conflict,\"
\nState Minister of Investment Hamzah Haz said after meeting with
\nHabibie.<\/p>\n
Hamzah, who is also chairman of the Moslem-backed United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP), condemned the attack as a \"brutal\" act.<\/p>\n
Two of the people injured in the explosion were identified as
\nAmir Fatah and Rahmat Permana, marriage counseling staff for
\nMoslem couples.<\/p>\n
They were hit by shattered glass as they were performing their
\nashar (afternoon) prayer near their office in the basement of the
\nbuilding.<\/p>\n
Both were rushed to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital but
\nwere discharged later in the afternoon.<\/p>\n
According to Imam Asmar Shodiqin of the mosque, the explosion
\noccurred as some 750 people were also performing their ashar
\nprayer on the first floor of the six-story mosque.<\/p>\n
\"We'd just finished the first raka'at (unit) when we heard the
\nblast,\" Asmar said.<\/p>\n
Chief of Jakarta Police Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman said the
\nexplosion was not serious.<\/p>\n
He said the explosion type remained under investigation.<\/p>\n
However, a source close to the investigation said the
\nexplosive device did not use a timer or detonator.<\/p>\n
\"The explosive materials were shattered during the blast and
\nthere are no remains,\" the source said on condition of anonymity.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso, who also visited the site immediately after
\nthe blast, said: \"I see it's the work of irresponsible people\".<\/p>\n
As of last night, police acknowledged they had few leads in
\ntheir investigation.<\/p>\n
A half consumed bottle of tea was seized by police as
\nevidence. The contents are believed to have been drunk by the
\nsuspects.<\/p>\n
A mosque parking attendant, Nur Akhmad, was taken to a nearby
\npolice subprecinct for questioning. He was believed to be the
\nmain witness in the incident, Asmar said.<\/p>\n
He said Nur Akhmad saw two men wearing blue jeans hastily run
\nto the parking lot shortly after the explosion.<\/p>\n
He said Nur tried to apprehend one of them but failed as the
\nman was too strong.<\/p>\n
\"According to him, the two mysterious men took an RX-King
\nmotorcycle from the parking lot and fled.\"<\/p>\n
From outside the mosque, damage from the blast could not be
\nseen.<\/p>\n
But at basement level windows and doors of at least 21 offices
\nwere shattered.<\/p>\n
An air conditioner on the ceiling between the office of MUI
\nand the office of the Indonesian Islamic Women's Organization
\nConference was also damaged.<\/p>\n
The mosque, which has a capacity for 100,000 people, was
\ndesigned by the late Frederik Silaban, a Christian.<\/p>\n
In 1978, a serious blast hit the mosque and an investigation
\nproved that trinitroluene was used as the main material for the
\nexplosion.<\/p>\n
Built on a 12-hectare plot of land, the mosque is located
\nclose to the Cathedral Church. Many state religious events are
\nheld at the mosque. The poor and homeless are frequently found in
\nthe vicinity, as the mosque provides free meals.<\/p>\n
In past months, the country has been hit by massive unrest,
\nallegedly sparked by ethnic and religious conflict in several
\nprovinces. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands of
\nothers evacuated to avoid clashes.<\/p>\n
Four days ago, an explosion also rocked the three-story Hayam
\nWuruk Plaza shopping center in West Jakarta, only minutes before
\nan audacious armed robbery attempt at a nearby branch of Bank
\nCentral Asia (BCA). A security guard at the bank was killed
\nduring the robbery.<\/p>\n
Noegroho said the two blasts were connected.<\/p>\n
A few hours after the explosion at Istiqlal Mosque, many
\norganizations were urging people, particularly Moslems, to calm
\ndown and refrain from taking revenge on other parties.<\/p>\n
The calls were made by Minister of Religions A. Malik Fadjar,
\nthe PPP, MUI, Justice and United Party (PKP), Moslem Students
\nAssociation and the Youth of the National Mandate Holders.<\/p>\n
Minister Fadjar strongly condemned the blast and said the
\nexplosion was a terrorist attack and was related to politics.<\/p>\n
MUI chairman Ali Yafie called all Moslems to allow security
\nauthorities to handle the case.<\/p>\n
Hadimulyo, a PPP executive, commented: \"The pattern is an
\ninheritance from the New Order\".<\/p>\n
Julius Cardinal Darmaatmadja from the Jakarta Archdiocese
\nexpressed concern over the incident and hoped security
\nauthorities would make a rapid arrest of those responsible for
\nthe attack.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Jakarta Provincial Elections Committee (PPD I)
\nDjafar Badjeber, who is also head of the PPP Jakarta chapter,
\nsaid: \"(The blast) must be an attempt to obstruct the June 7
\ngeneral election\". (emf\/prb\/ind\/jun\/01)<\/p>",
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