Explosion rocks Istiqlal Mosque

Explosion rocks Istiqlal Mosque

JAKARTA (JP): A powerful blast rocked the basement of Istiqlal
Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in the region, in the heart of
the capital on Monday, injuring at least four people performing
their late afternoon prayers.

Dozens of glass windows from offices of several Moslem-based
organizations, including the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), were
shattered. The explosion, which occurred at 3:20 p.m, also
fractured walls of the 38-year-old mosque.

Shortly after the explosion, tight security measures were
taken at most major houses of worship in and around the city.

The capital was tense as many shopping centers and
entertainment spots closed earlier than usual. Major
thoroughfares were deserted.

Activities in the downtown Chinese area of Mangga Besar, home
to scores of night spots and Chinese food stalls, were not
disturbed.

President B.J. Habibie appealed to the public for calm and
urged the community not to be provoked by the incident.

"The President said this is an attempt to create disorder.
This (explosion) seeks to create religious and ethnic conflict,"
State Minister of Investment Hamzah Haz said after meeting with
Habibie.

Hamzah, who is also chairman of the Moslem-backed United
Development Party (PPP), condemned the attack as a "brutal" act.

Two of the people injured in the explosion were identified as
Amir Fatah and Rahmat Permana, marriage counseling staff for
Moslem couples.

They were hit by shattered glass as they were performing their
ashar (afternoon) prayer near their office in the basement of the
building.

Both were rushed to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital but
were discharged later in the afternoon.

According to Imam Asmar Shodiqin of the mosque, the explosion
occurred as some 750 people were also performing their ashar
prayer on the first floor of the six-story mosque.

"We'd just finished the first raka'at (unit) when we heard the
blast," Asmar said.

Chief of Jakarta Police Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman said the
explosion was not serious.

He said the explosion type remained under investigation.

However, a source close to the investigation said the
explosive device did not use a timer or detonator.

"The explosive materials were shattered during the blast and
there are no remains," the source said on condition of anonymity.

Governor Sutiyoso, who also visited the site immediately after
the blast, said: "I see it's the work of irresponsible people".

As of last night, police acknowledged they had few leads in
their investigation.

A half consumed bottle of tea was seized by police as
evidence. The contents are believed to have been drunk by the
suspects.

A mosque parking attendant, Nur Akhmad, was taken to a nearby
police subprecinct for questioning. He was believed to be the
main witness in the incident, Asmar said.

He said Nur Akhmad saw two men wearing blue jeans hastily run
to the parking lot shortly after the explosion.

He said Nur tried to apprehend one of them but failed as the
man was too strong.

"According to him, the two mysterious men took an RX-King
motorcycle from the parking lot and fled."

From outside the mosque, damage from the blast could not be
seen.

But at basement level windows and doors of at least 21 offices
were shattered.

An air conditioner on the ceiling between the office of MUI
and the office of the Indonesian Islamic Women's Organization
Conference was also damaged.

The mosque, which has a capacity for 100,000 people, was
designed by the late Frederik Silaban, a Christian.

In 1978, a serious blast hit the mosque and an investigation
proved that trinitroluene was used as the main material for the
explosion.

Built on a 12-hectare plot of land, the mosque is located
close to the Cathedral Church. Many state religious events are
held at the mosque. The poor and homeless are frequently found in
the vicinity, as the mosque provides free meals.

In past months, the country has been hit by massive unrest,
allegedly sparked by ethnic and religious conflict in several
provinces. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands of
others evacuated to avoid clashes.

Four days ago, an explosion also rocked the three-story Hayam
Wuruk Plaza shopping center in West Jakarta, only minutes before
an audacious armed robbery attempt at a nearby branch of Bank
Central Asia (BCA). A security guard at the bank was killed
during the robbery.

Noegroho said the two blasts were connected.

A few hours after the explosion at Istiqlal Mosque, many
organizations were urging people, particularly Moslems, to calm
down and refrain from taking revenge on other parties.

The calls were made by Minister of Religions A. Malik Fadjar,
the PPP, MUI, Justice and United Party (PKP), Moslem Students
Association and the Youth of the National Mandate Holders.

Minister Fadjar strongly condemned the blast and said the
explosion was a terrorist attack and was related to politics.

MUI chairman Ali Yafie called all Moslems to allow security
authorities to handle the case.

Hadimulyo, a PPP executive, commented: "The pattern is an
inheritance from the New Order".

Julius Cardinal Darmaatmadja from the Jakarta Archdiocese
expressed concern over the incident and hoped security
authorities would make a rapid arrest of those responsible for
the attack.

Chairman of the Jakarta Provincial Elections Committee (PPD I)
Djafar Badjeber, who is also head of the PPP Jakarta chapter,
said: "(The blast) must be an attempt to obstruct the June 7
general election". (emf/prb/ind/jun/01)