Indonesian Christians attacked on way to morning prayers

[Unbeliever]

Islamic hardliners suspected after worshipper is stabbed and minister is hit by a wooden plank

Associated Press:
A Christian worshipper was stabbed in the stomach and a minister attacked with a wooden plank as they travelled to morning prayers today outside Indonesia's capital of Jakarta.

Neither of the injuries appeared life-threatening. No one claimed responsibility for the attacks but suspicion has fallen on Islamic hardliners.

In recent months, they have thrown shoes and water bottles at the church members, interrupted sermons and dumped feces on the land.

Local police chief Imam Sugianto said Asia Sihombing, a worshipper, was on his way to the field when assailants jumped off a motorcycle and stabbed him in the stomach. The Rev Luspida Simanjuntak was then hit on the head as she tried to come to his aid.

"I was trying to help get him onto a motorcycle so we could get him to a hospital," she told reporters in the industrial city of Bekasi, 25 miles east of Jakarta.

Leading the charge against the Batak Christians has been the Islamic Defenders Front, which is pushing for the implementation of Islamic-based laws in Bekasi and other parts of the nation.

They are known for smashing bars, attacking transvestites and going after those considered blasphemous with bamboo clubs and stones. They also pressured the local government early this year to shutter the Batak church.

Perpetrators are rarely punished or even questioned by police.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who relies heavily on Islamic parties in parliament, has been widely criticised in the media for failing to crackdown on hardliners.

But he immediately called on authorities to investigate and to hold accountable those responsible for Sunday's attack.

"We know who's behind it," said major general Timur Pradopo, the police chief in Jakarta, without elaborating. "But I don't believe this is an inter-religous conflict."

barbarians.


Indonesian Christians attacked on way to morning prayers | World news | The Guardian