Indonesia

Indonesia Hails Downfall of Qaddafi Regime

As rebels on Tuesday fought battles around Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi’s headquarters in Tripoli, the Indonesian government said the fall of the regime would mark the end of an era of state violence against civilians in the north African nation. Hailing the choice made by the people of Libya, Foreign […]

Ahmadis in West Java Fear They’re Next

The Ahmadiyah community in Cianjur, West Java, is airing fears of violence and retaliation after a court in Banten recently jailed 12 men for an attack there that left three members of the minority Muslim sect dead………. Firdaus Mubarik, a spokesman for the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI), said that Ahmadi […]

Sermons with humor

Jakarta Post: The expression “Alhamdulillah” is sprinkled throughout Muhammad Nur Maulana’s sermons during episodes of Islam Itu Indah (Islam is Beautiful). The Makassar ustad’s (teacher) show airs every morning on TransTV. His other signature expression — widely imitated by viewers — is “Jamaah… Oh… Jamaah [congregation]”, to which listeners respond […]

An Interview with Deden’s Lawyer

Radio Australia: Nurkholis Hidayat is the Director of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute and is Mr Sudjana’s lawyer. Speaker: Nurkholis Hidayat,Director of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute; Andreas Harsono, consultant, Human Rights Watch Indonesia Presenter: Alma Mistry MISTRY: Deden Sudjana’s hand was almost severed by a machete as he attempted to stop an angry mob who […]

Indonesian president defends Pluralism and Tolerance on Country’s 66th Independence Day

Indonesia celebrates its 66th anniversary of independence from Dutch rule on Wednesday. In a national address, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono defended the mainly Muslim country’s reputation for pluralism and tolerance, while accepting it was facing “threats” to religious and social harmony. The comments came as his administration faces growing criticism […]

Israel speaks for Indonesian Verdict on Ahmadiyyah

Arutz Sheva: Indonesian Lynch Victim Gets Harsher Sentence than Assailants A member of a minority Islamic sect who defended his comrades against an attempted lynch has drawn a heavier sentence than his assailants Haifa Israel where Aamadiyya Muslim Community enjoys freedom of religion (Ahmadi Mosque in Kababeer, Israel) The judiciary […]

Criticism from within: Curious Justice in Banten

Jakarta Globe: Almost exactly one year ago, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the following on the occasion of Independence Day: “I want to underline the importance of maintaining and strengthening our brotherhood, harmony and tolerance as a nation… In everyday life, we still find cases that don’t reflect the harmony, tolerance and mutual respect […]