Why we don’t see more rallies for religious tolerance in the Islamic world.
It’s good to see that “moderate Indonesians” were outraged by this attack, but why did the police let it happen?
“Extremists arrested for rally attack,” from AFP, June 5 (thanks to JE):
JAKARTA: Indonesian police raided the headquarters of a radical Islamist group, detaining 59 alleged extremists over a violent attack on a peaceful rally for religious tolerance.
Police said the pre-dawn operation involving more than 1000 officers yesterday was in response to Sunday’s attack at the Monas national monument in Jakarta by stick-wielding fanatics from the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI).
“Fifty nine people, including the head of FPI, Rizieq Shihab, were taken to Jakarta police headquarters for questioning in relation to the incident,” Jakarta’s police chief said.
The Indonesian Government came under strong pressure to act against the radicals after police failed to stop them beating scores of people with bamboo sticks at the rally.
Hundreds of radicals took part in the unprovoked attack. But with outrage growing among moderate Indonesians, the police issued an ultimatum to the radicals on Monday to hand over 10 suspects by midnight or face action….
A day after the attack, Shihab said his supporters were preparing for war against the minority Ahmadiyah Islamic sect, which Indonesia is considering banning for its “deviant” beliefs.