Jakarta, 3 July (AKI) - Indonesian Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, considered the spiritual leader of the al-Qaeda linked militant group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), has called on Indonesia to send holy warriors to fight in Israel in response to the recent airstrikes by the Israeli forces on the Palestinian territories. The Associated Press reported that Bashir called Israel the "enemy of Allah" and said that is why Indonesia "should send holy warriors there." He was addresssing hundreds of members of the Muslim-based Crescent Star Party in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.
Bashir was released on 14 June after completing 26 months of his 30-month sentence for conspiracy in the 2002 Bali bombings which killed 202 people. His release from prison raised concerns that he would incite people yet again with his speeches at rallies and mosques.
The United States and the United Nations have listed JI as a terrorist organisation and both Malaysia and Singapore have already banned the organisation. Despite JI's connection with such violence, in Indonesia the group hasn't been banned or branded a terrorist organisation. The main aim of JI is to create an Islamic Caliphate in South-East Asia. | As a sub-set of the worldwide Islamic Caliphate |
On Sunday, thousands of people from a Muslim group known as the Islamist Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), were reported to have gathered in front of the US embassy in Jakarta to denounce the military offensive by Israel and to show support for the Palestinian people. The protestors also shouted anti-American slogans and accused Israel of human rights violations. They condemned Israel's military operation in Gaza and demanded the release of Palestinian officials who had been arrested. Reports say the demonstration was peaceful and the rally also continued to the offices of UN mission in the city. |