Muslim youth slam U.S., UK over attacks

Muslim youth slam U.S., UK over attacks

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Muslim organizations in Yogyakarta and Solo, Central Java,
noisily condemned the U.S.-led retaliation on the Taliban's
military installations and Osama bin Laden's terrorist
indoctrination camps with calls for the expulsion of American and
British citizens from the two towns.

The youth elements of the newly-formed group calling itself
the Muslim Solidarity for Afghanistan in Solo called on the local
Police to evacuate all American and British citizens.

"No one can blame us if something (untoward) happens to
American or British people in the city," Warsito Adnan,
coordinator of the Surakarta Islam Defenders Front (FPIS),
threatened on Monday.

According to local administration's data, 23 expatriates,
mostly American, are living in the city.

In Yogyakarta, around 150 Muslim students marched around the
city to condemn what they called Western imperialism in
Afghanistan.

Calling for international solidarity with Afghans, the
protesters brought with them anti-American banners reading: "Down
with the USA", "Go to hell with your aid", "USA: The Great
Satan", and "Beware of Neo-imperialism."

Ridwan Haryadi, coordinator of the protesters, said: "Radical
groups have threatened to take reciprocal actions against
American and British citizens living in Yogyakarta and several
towns in Central Java."

Many Muslim youth organizations also lambasted the
government's ban on sending Indonesians to fight alongside Osama
bin Laden against the U.S. and its allies in their anti-terrorism
campaign.

"A registration has been open for those who want to join in
the jihad (holy war)," Abu Bakar Ba'asyir of the Islamic
Mujahedeen Council, said, adding that the registration center is
at Jln. Veteran 17, Yogyakarta.

Ba'asyir said Muslims in Indonesia should show their
solidarity by joining a jihad for humanitarian activities
and to defend Muslim interests in Afghanistan.

"The government's ban is against Islamic teaching," he said.

He said his council had yet to decide on what actions would be
taken against non-Indonesian residents, especially American and
British citizens, in the province.

In Makassar, South Sulawesi, the situation remained calm as
local Muslim youth organizations and students threatened to stage
protests at foreign consular offices in the city.

"We are planning a demonstration in front of the Japanese
consulate office here on Tuesday," Al Farisy, a Muslim student
activist, said.

In Medan, North Sumatra, the Indonesian Student Solidarity
(SMI) group criticized the allied retaliation against the
Taliban's military installations and terrorist training camps,
saying the SMI would hold a massive demonstration in the city on
Tuesday.

Martius Latuferissa, a spokesman for the group, said he would
lead local Muslims to join a holy war against the U.S.

In Purwokerto, Central Java, thousands of Muslims took to the
streets to call for a holy war against the United States and its
allies.

Saefuddin Daldiri, chairman of the Jihad Thoriqotul Front
(FTJ), said around 3,000 Muslims from many towns in the
province's southern part have registered themselves to join the
holy war.

"Responding to the call by the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI),
we have indoctrinated their minds with spiritual beliefs as well
as the jihad vision and mission in accordance with Islamic
teachings," he said.

Saefuddin said extremist groups were still considering what
actions they would take against American civilians living in the
regency.

Deputy chief of Banyumas police Adj. Sr. Comr Raja Gukguk told
reporters in Purwokerto on Monday that police have stepped up
their security to protect expatriates living in Banyumas. He
pointed out that there were 96 non-Indonesians in the region.