FPI shapes Indonesian society by force

On August 17, 2010, Indonesia celebrated 65 years of independence. Yet the phrase “the older, the wiser” is not entirely applicable in this case.

Violence and brutality by radical groups, most notably the FPI (Front Pembela Islam or Islam Defender Front), cast a dark shadow over the most populous Muslim country in the world. In her 65 years of independence, numerous churches have been destroyed and religious symbols devastated without any significant response from the government.

Using knives, arson, brutality and violence, the FPI has targeted Christians, Muslims and others in its mission to defend God at any cost. But just who is the FPI? This article traces its tortuous path.

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ON A RECENT FRIDAY morning, the sun was not shining. It was gloomy, dark and somber, probably because I received two unusual e-mails. Both were very sad.

The first e-mail was a forwarded note from a friend, and the second was from Mr. Theophilus Bela, President of Jakarta Christian Communication Forum, who is also Secretary General of Indonesian Committee on Religion and Peace and Ambassador for Peace.

Mr. Bela informed me of a special service that was to be held in front of “Merdeka” Palace in Jakarta on Sunday, August 15th, 2010. This e-mail immediately grabbed my eyes, heart, and soul. The Sunday service was a protest against the attacks on Christian churches in Bekasi and other parts of Indonesia. This explains why the service would be attended by Christian congregations from Bekasi, Tangerang, Bogor, Parung, Ciawi and other parts of the country where churches have been attacked.

It was heartbreaking to open the first e-mail with the title, “We are ready to be buried alive”. "What was going on?" I asked myself. The letter was from Mr. Djohan Effendy, the Minister of State Secretary of President Abdurrahman Wahid's administration. Mr. Effendy wrote to the current Indonesian leaders from President to mayors - and to anybody who has a conscience, integrity, and concern for the problems of humanity.

Mr. Effendy started his letter by quoting a letter from Ahmadiyah followers in the island of Lombok to the Mayor of Mataran, the capital of Lombok, near Bali. The quotation, translated to English from Bahasa Indonesia reads:

“Give us a place anywhere, Mr. Mayor, as long as it is in the territory of Mataram City. In the suburbs, or even in the cemeteries, which are haunted. What most important for us is to leave this shelter and get back to normal life. We want to regain our own freedom and independence.

Or, if we have truly tarnished a religion and have violated Act No.1/PNPS/1/1965, as we have been accused, then please send us to jail, Mr. Mayor. All of us Ahmadiyah followers that have been forced to take refuge (fleeing from our own home and land) - man, woman, old, young, and children - are ready to be jailed physically, spiritually, and voluntarily even without due process of law.

Or if there is absolutely no place for us, in jail or even in the cemetery, then please dig us our graves. We, the displaced people of Ahmadiyah followers - man, women, old, young, and children - are ready to be buried alive.”

My breath caught in my throat. I sat down and began to reflect.