Religious leaders condemn bombing, call for unity

Religious leaders condemn bombing, call for unity

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Thursday's bombing at the Australian Embassy, which killed at
least seven people, drew strong nationwide condemnation, with
many saying the latest terror attack would further tarnish the
predominantly Muslim country's image.

Muslim leaders and leaders from different faiths extended
their deep condolences to the families and relatives of the dead
and the at least 161 wounded victims, while urging the nation to
unite to fight and root out terrorism.

"We would urge the police and legal authorities to thoroughly
probe the incident and find the bombers, and to punish them
severely," Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the nation's largest Muslim
organization, said in a press statement.

It asked the United States, Australia, Britain and other
countries, which are often targeted by terrorist, to exercise
"introspection" as regards the possibility that their global
policies could be misplaced.

"Feeling oneself to have an monopoly on truth and power will
benefit no one except the terrorists," said the statement signed
by acting NU chairman Masdar Farid Mas'udi.

Muhammadiyah, the nation's second biggest Muslim organization,
also condemned the latest bombing as "savage and inhuman", saying
that any form of violence was strictly against universal and
religious values.

In a press released signed by Muhammadiyah chairman Ahmad
Syafii Maarif, the organization demanded that the security
authorities intensify measures to combat terrorism.

The bombers should be captured and punished to the maximum
extent of the law, Muhammadiyah added, while extending its
condolences to the victims.

It also appealed to all members of the community to join
forces to crush the terrorists whose aim was to destroy the
Muslim-majority nation.

Also condemning the blast was the Prosperous Justice Party
(PKS), which has been campaigning for the implementation of
Islamic sharia law in Indonesia.

"We strongly condemn the latest bomb explosion ... which has
shattered Indonesia's international image and offended against
its sovereignty," said a press statement signed by PKS chairman
Hidayat Nurwahid.

The PKS warned, however, against the linking the bombing with
any religion "as all religions forbid and condemn such acts of
terror".

The hard-line Hizbut Tahrir group voiced a similar warning to
the PKS, calling on the authorities to be careful in responding
to speculation that linked the incident with any particular
Islamic organization or movement.

Hizbut Tahrir's Muhammad Ismail Yusanto said the huge
explosion could have been perpetrated by groups wanting to
destabilize the country and discredit Islam for their own
political ends.

Australia and other countries quickly blamed the incident on
the regional Jamaah Islamiyah terror network, which has also been
accused of masterminding the bombings in Bali and at the JW
Marriott Hotel.

The police should immediately uncover the motives behind the
incident, and the government do its utmost to ensure peace and
security for its citizens by taking resolute action against the
bombers, Hizbut Tahrir said.

"This bombing is extraordinarily evil. Islamic sharia strictly
bans Muslims from killing others whatever the reasons may be,
from damaging private and public property, and from spreading
fear and terror," Ismail was quoted by Antara as saying.

The Christian-orientated Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) voiced a
similar condemnation, and said that the blast showed the
terrorist threat still persisted in Indonesia.

"Therefore, the government and security authorities must
strengthen the war on terrorism," the PDS said in a statement.

The party said the bombing would further worsen Indonesia's
image around the world.

The Indonesian Confucian Assembly (Matakin) joined the chorus
of nationwide condemnation of the bloodthirsty bombing.

"We appeal to those committing evil acts to desist and not to
repeat their sinful deeds. Let's overcome all our problems with
open hearts and sincerity without causing innocent people to
suffer," it said in a press release.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Muslim Students Association (HMI)
condemned the government and the National Intelligence Agency
(BIN) for failing to protect the public as evidenced by the death
and suffering that had resulted from the bombing.

All elements in society should avoid worsening the situation
by refraining from availing of the tragedy to further their
political interests, it added.