The Istiqlal bombing

The Istiqlal bombing

The best stand Muslims can take (after the Istiqlal Mosque bombing) is to stay calm and not let themselves be provoked. That, however, does not mean they must remain passive and accept things as they are. Rather, they should consolidate their ranks while giving the authorities a chance to solve the case. The Istiqlal Mosque bombing delivered a heavy psychological blow (to Muslims), but it would be overhasty for anyone to use the incident as a vehicle for sparking unrest.

Threats such as this are likely to increase ahead of, or even after, the general election. Without our being aware of it, we seem to be sliding toward an abyss. Only our collective good sense will prevent us from falling into it.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta