Imam Samudra, who uses several aliases, was finally arrested

Imam Samudra, who uses several aliases, was finally arrested
last week by police after being a fugitive since August. Imam,
32, is suspected of instigating the Bali bombings and several
other attacks in the country.

Imam was not as talkative as Amrozi, the first Bali bomb
suspect arrested by police, in front of the investigators. But
their confessions had a horrid similarity: No regret for
allegedly murdering almost 200 innocent people. The suicide bomb
attack, which Imam reportedly said was carried out by a man
identified as Iqbal, is another mode of terrorism in the country.

Islam prohibits any actions leading to suicide.

The bombers destroyed night establishments where foreign
tourists enjoyed their leisure time and local people worked to
make ends meet. However, both Amrozi and Imam coldly said they
destroyed the targets in the name of jihad.

Their statements could be like a slap in the face for the real
jihad commander, the late Sultan Salahuddin al-Ayyubi, the
prominent Islamic hero during the Crusades. He had a reputation
for discipline and civility. He prohibited the killing of his
enemies' children and wives, even their cattle and pets. Enemies
who surrendered were set free.

The fragrance of Islam -- as spread by Sultan Salahuddin al-
Ayyubi -- has been ravaged by terrorists, who claim to be acting
in the name of Islam, like the Bali bomb suspects.

It is therefore the obvious obligation of Muslims to
understand their religion as a mercy for the universe to fight
terrorism. Sultan Salahuddin al-Ayyubi taught that terror must
not be countered by terror.

-- Koran Tempo, Jakarta

Raids on prostitutes

Authorities have raided some nightspots and other places
frequented by prostitutes awaiting custom.

Some women tried to escape the raids and were chased by the
officers, while other women, believed to be prostitutes, were
herded onto a truck. The scenes were familiar to TV watchers
before and during the fasting month of Ramadhan.

The purpose of the raids was to minimize or control gambling,
the (illegal) sale of liquor and prostitution to create a more
conducive climate during the fasting month. It is a noble move.
But criticism should be aimed at the authorities executing the
raids, the government, nightspot owners and the people.

Social problems need a comprehensive and consistent commitment
and critical understanding.

We support the raids on prostitutes but all actions must be
based on vision, attitude and comprehensive policies. It is
disturbing to read or to watch (on TV) women plunging into a
river to escape the authorities. We get the impression that there
is no clear plan of action to deal with the problem after the
raids have been conducted.

-- Kompas, Jakarta