Moslem sect rumors lead to Madura burning

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)