Mob attacks boarding school

Mob attacks boarding school

BATANG, Central Java (JP): Dozens of residents of Broko
village in Wonotunggal district stoned an Islamic boarding school
on Friday for allegedly propagating the Islamic branch of Shia
teaching.

Sgt. Maj. Joko Wiyono of Batang Police said the residents
turned angry after their demand for clerics who ran the boarding
school to stop their activities went unheeded.

"According to residents, Shia teaches radicalism and infringed
on local customs," Joko said, adding that the protest had been
lodged in the past few months.

Shia is popular among Muslim hard-liners around the world.
Most of Indonesian Muslims, who make up most of the country's
population, follow Sunni teaching.

At least seven people, including two police personnel, were
injured from stones in the attack. The mob also ransacked a
grocery, a car and the school's office.

Police arrested 14 of the attackers for questioning following
the incident. (har)