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.