Just as well he did not attend

Remember this

17-20 December In Batu, Malang, East Java, a recording was apparently made using a handycam and then copied onto VCD format by a Christian student group called Lembaga Pelayanan Mahasiswa Indonesia (LPMI) at the Hotel Asida between 17-20 December 2006 which is said to contain scenes which insult Islam in some uncertain way.

The Lembaga Pelayanan Mahasiswa Indonesia (LPMI) describes itself as “an interdenomination Christian organization to help Christians for their growth” and seems to be active in disaster relief efforts.

Malang police chief Muhammad Amin Saleh says the handycam, copies of the video, and some banners or signs which were shown in the video have already been seized. He says all people who attended the LPMI Jatilira (East Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara) spiritual training meeting in Batu late last year will be questioned and the case will be seen through to the end.

The case will be seen through to the end.

August 2nd 2007. The trial of 41 suspects started on 1st August, however it was immediately postponed as the state prosecutor requested more time to prepare the case, two weeks.

Meanwhile outside the court a large demonstration took place composed of mainly women from various groups such as Majelis Ulama Islam (MUI), Hizbut Tahrir, Front Pembela Islam, and Muhammadiyah, drawn from various towns in East Java including Bangkalan, Pasuruan, Surabaya, Probolinggo, Lamongan, and Tuban. They demanded that the accused be sentenced to death.

September 6th 2007. All 41 defendants were sentenced to five years’ jail, the maximum allowed.

Posted by: shiva at November 27, 2007 10:01 AM

The "reformers" need to be as militant, in response, to the threats of the dogmatists.

In writing, if the literal stage is denied them.

Or it is Al-Intimidationville.

Which heads to Beheadingtown.

All that needs to be said to the "traditionalists" is:

Mohammad was a man.

Men are naturally fallible.

His "Koran" is thus a naturally imperfect document.

And then add:

Let us look at it reasonably and humanely.

And decide which elements in the "Recitation" seem human-all-too-human and which may have transmitted some spark of the divine.

And stop killing over the details, since it is demonic, not divine, to terrorize in the name of a compassionate deity.

Posted by: profitsbeard at November 27, 2007 10:15 AM

"Masud told the The Jakarta Post newspaper that “We suggested that Abu Zayd not attend (the forum) in Malang for its goodness and damage. It is not a ban but suggestion.”..."

...as in, "He'll have his head chopped off--but hey, we're only SUGGESTING that he not speak here."

For the record, I'm a supporter of Abu Zeid. What he had to endure at the hands of the Egyptian Judiciary was abhorrent, as is the treatment he continues to receive from so-called "moderate" Islamic nations today. He deserves better.

Posted by: RoobartSbunsar at November 27, 2007 10:20 AM

He should be happy that he is not welcome because the hotel the conference is be held is terrible and the food sux

I stayed there a few months back, I checked at as fast as possible

Also it was here I saw one of the few women I have seen wearing a burqa in Indonesia, and I came very close to bitch slapping its male keeper because of their arrogance.

Any-way the conference was titled

http://illustratedpig.blogspot.com/2007/11/where-i-live-pt-19-muslim-youth.html

Posted by: shiva at November 27, 2007 12:04 PM

Islam is the lie that evil is good.

Posted by: FreeSpeech at November 28, 2007 12:17 AM

I think we can all surmise from this that Indonesia's central government is controlled by powerful mosques located in the Middle East and has been for about the last millennium.

BTW: have never believed most accounts as to how Indonesia was Islamized. I don't think anyone really knows for sure.

Posted by: pythagoras at November 28, 2007 6:44 PM