ASIA/INDONESIA - Perpetrators of Bali bombings still unidentified amidst rising social tension. Religious leaders committed to promoting dialogue and brotherhood

Monday, 3 October 2005

Jakarta (Fides Service) - The Indonesian police are still working to identify the perpetrators of the October 1 bomb blasts in Bali. Commenting the attack Fr. Ignazio Ismartono, who works in the sector of humanitarian aid and inter-religious dialogue on behalf of the Indonesian Catholic Bishops’ expressed his deep grief: “This calls for a careful analysis to discover what is behind these attacks. The political situation in this country is extremely tense since oil prices rocketed. The bomb blasts will have a disastrous effect on tourism once again causing serious harm to the economy. In society there are various parties in conflict. We hope tension subsides and that peace will prevail. As religious leaders the Bishops condemn terrorism reaffirming their commitment to promoting brotherhood between cultures and religions”.
These latest attacks in Bali have put the spot light once again on Jemaah Islamiyah group said to have organised attacks in other south east Asian countries. Hasym Muzadi, leader of Nadhlatul Ulama Muslim organisation with more than 30 million members, has strongly condemned terrorism recalling that “radical groups in Indonesia. are very small. Moderate Muslims are the majority in Indonesia and the must help fight fundamentalists”. Musadi said Islamic extremism “is not Indonesian it comes from the Middle East”. Musadi said he is ready to engage in talks with radical Islam and to sustain reasons for dialogue and reconciliation.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 3/10/2005 rughe 24 parole 265)


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