Guantanamo case angers RI Muslims<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Anti-U.S. sentiment erupted around Indonesia, the world's largest
\nMuslim nation, on Friday following reports that interrogators
\ndesecrated Korans at the U.S. detention center in Guantanamo Bay,
\nCuba.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of Muslims gathered at the Al-Azhar mosque in South
\nJakarta to express their outrage over the incident. The
\nprotesters included those from hardline Islamist groups such as
\nHizbut Tahrir Indonesia, the Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI)
\nand the Islam Defender Front (FPI).<\/p>\n
They demanded President George W. Bush explain the incident
\nand apologize to Muslims worldwide.<\/p>\n
\"We strongly deplore the desecration of the Koran by the U.S.
\nauthorities,\" Muhammad Al-Khattath from Hizbuth Tahrir Indonesia
\nsaid as quoted by DPA.<\/p>\n
\"We demand the U.S. apologize to the Islamic community around
\nthe world and punish severely any people found to be
\nresponsible.\"<\/p>\n
A similar protest was held in the South Sulawesi capital of
\nMakassar, where dozens of students rallied outside hotels and
\nattempted raids on the premises to search for American citizens
\nand allied nationalities.<\/p>\n
Private radio Elshinta reported from Makassar that the
\nstudents tried to enter the Arya Duta Hotel but security officers
\nprevented them.<\/p>\n
Before marching to the hotels, the demonstrators staged a
\nrally on the Islamic State University campus, where a U.S. flag
\nwas set on fire, the report said.<\/p>\n
U.S-based Newsweek magazine recently reported that
\ninvestigators looking into abuses at the U.S. military prison in
\nCuba had found interrogators \"had placed Korans on toilets, and
\nin at least one case flushed a holy book down the toilet\".<\/p>\n
The report sparked violent protests in Afghanistan that have
\nkilled three people and drawn harsh words from Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Marty
\nNatalegawa condemned the incident, saying any such desecration
\nwould be intolerable and abominable.<\/p>\n
\"If proven true, it would be an insulting and immoral act
\nbecause any kind of holy book, such as the Koran or the Bible,
\nmust be respected,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The U.S. interrogators had taken part in unethical and immoral
\nacts, he said. \"For that reason, (Indonesia) has demanded that
\nthe U.S. government take stern measures against the
\nperpetrators.\"<\/p>\n
However, the country's largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul
\nUlama (NU), urged all sides to remain calm, saying they had faith
\nWashington would adequately investigate the report.<\/p>\n
\"I am sure the there is a particular legal article in the
\nUnited States that covers this matter. Let's wait for the
\ninvestigation. I'm sure that (the U.S.) will look into this
\nmatter,\" Ali Maschan Moesa told Reuters.<\/p>\n
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has urged calm among
\nMuslims around the world, insisting Washington would fully
\ninvestigate the matter.<\/p>\n
\"Our military authorities are investigating these allegations
\nfully. If they are proven true, we will take appropriate action,\"
\nshe said in remark as reported by the United States Embassy in
\nJakarta on Friday.<\/p>\n
\"Disrespect of the holy Koran is not now, nor has it ever
\nbeen, nor will it be, tolerated by the United States. We honor
\nthe sacred books of the world's great religions. Disrespect of
\nthe holy Koran is abhorrent to us all,\" Rice said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/guantanamo-case-angers-ri-muslims-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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