Moslem sect rumors lead to Madura burning

SURABAYA (JP): Rumors of an active Moslem sect that was banned in 1971 led to the burning of three houses and two mosques belonging to alleged sect members by hundreds of people on Monday in Pamekasan, Madura. However, on Tuesday residents resumed their activities while the police said they had made no arrests.

"We have only asked a number of people for clarification... the riot was only triggered by overt suspicions," Madura Police chief Col. Baruto Badrus said.

People had heard that three residents in the districts of Batumarmar and Kadur were promoting Islam Jama'ah through an organization called Lembaga Dakwah Islam Indonesia. The sect was banned along with others considered similar to it by the Attorney General's office in 1971.

The three residents were Busro, 55, Jufri, 40, and Abdullah, 60. In response to the rumors, which police have yet to clarify, hundreds of people came by trucks, public transport and motorcycles to Busro's home in the village of Kertagenah. They were unable to find Busro and resorted to burning his house and a small mosque. The crowd then burned the neighboring homes of Jufri and Abdullah, and another small mosque believed to be owned by the sect in the Kadur district.

Security personnel fired warning shots and managed to disperse the mob. The head of the Forum of Madura Ulema, Dhofier Syah, expressed his concern over residents taking the law into their own hands. "People now are so impulsive and easy to provoke," he said, adding that the Madurese were very sensitive in matters relating to religion. However, he dismissed the incident as "small", adding that it was already settled. (nur)