Source: Reuters
By Tom Allard, Agustinus Beo Da Costa, Kanupriya Kapoor
BANDUNG, Indonesia (Reuters) – A spate of mysterious attacks on Islamic clerics, schools and mosques in Indonesia in recent weeks has ramped up tensions as the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country heads into provincial elections and a presidential poll next year.
Bandung Major Ridwan Kamil and his wife Atalia Kamil wave to reporters as they sit in his car in Bandung, Indonesia January 20, 2018. Picture taken January 20, 2018. Antara Foto/Novrian Arbi via REUTERS
Intelligence and Islamic officials believe that political forces are behind what they describe as a shadowy “black campaign” designed to whip up fear that Islam itself is under siege under the leadership of President Joko Widodo.
In one town near the capital, Jakarta, a mosque manager was stabbed and a religious scholar received an anonymous letter warning that 10 clerics would be killed. Videos of what police say are fake attacks on Muslim clerics and schools have also been distributed on social media, heightening a mood of unease.
Categories: Asia, Indonesia, Islam, Politics, The Muslim Times