Indonesia Aceh Quake Triggers Indian Ocean Tsunami Alert

BBC: An earthquake with a magnitude of 8.6 has struck under the sea off Indonesia's northern Aceh province.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) said a tsunami had been generated but its likely impact was not yet clear.

It advised national authorities across the Indian Ocean region to "take appropriate action".

The region is regularly hit by earthquakes. The Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 killed 170,000 people in Aceh.

One official quoted by Reuters said a 17cm (6.7in) tsunami had been generated and was heading for the coast of Aceh.

The US Geological Survey (USGS), which documents quakes worldwide, said the Aceh quake was centred 33km (20 miles) under the sea about 495km from Banda Aceh, the provincial capital.

It was initially reported as 8.9 magnitude but was later revised down to 8.6 by the USGS. Strong aftershocks were also reported.

The BBC's Karishma Vaswani in Jakarta says there were reports of the ground shaking for up to five minutes. (+ video) » | Wednesday, April 11, 2012

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Indonesia Sets New Tsunami Warning as Aftershock Hits: BANGKOK — A powerful 8.6-magnitude earthquake struck more than 200 miles off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Wednesday, spreading panic among residents and reviving memories of the devastating 2004 earthquake and tsunami in the same area. » | Thomas Fuller | Wednesday, April 11, 2012

AL JAZEERA ENGLISH: Indian Ocean on tsunami alert after quakes: Indian Ocean tsunami warning extended after strong aftershock off northern Indonesia's coast. » | Source: Al Jazeera and agencies | Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Islamic Police Hold Sway in Indonesia's Aceh
AFP: BANDA ACEH, Indonesia — In Indonesia's only province ruled by strict Islamic law, the sight of the "morals police" prompts women to quickly adjust their headscarves and male and female companions to move apart.

In Aceh on the northern tip of Sumatra island, it is the job of the 1,000-strong Wilayatul Hisbah, or Islamic police, to enforce sharia laws that mandate public modesty for women, and forbid unmarried couples from socialising.

In the capital Banda Aceh last week, a woman peeled away from her husband, reached for a scarf and quickly wrapped it around her head as a patrol approached; a petrified couple hopped on a motorcycle and fled.

But another pair hiding behind a large rock on the beach were not so lucky.

"Are you married?" roared a burly officer, wearing a khaki uniform and sporting a thick moustache, as he approached the cringing couple who shook their heads.

"This is unacceptable in Aceh, we have sharia laws here. Go along now, go home," he said, after examining their identity cards. » | Arlina Arshad (AFP) | Monday, April 09, 2012

Eight-year-old Indonesian Boy Smokes Two Packs of Cigarettes a Day
Eight-year-old Adi Ilham's habit, which has seen him drop out of school, is being used to highlight Indonesia's lax smoking laws.

Read the article here | Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Terroralarm in Paris: Bombe explodiert vor indonesischer Botschaft
STERN.DE: Vor der indonesischen Botschaft in Paris ist am Mittwochmorgen ein Sprengsatz explodiert. Dabei sei niemand verletzt worden. Unklar ist, ob der Anschlag im Zusammenhang mit den Morden von Toulouse steht.

Eine Paketbombe hat am Mittwochmorgen vor der indonesischen Botschaft in Paris schweren Sachschaden angerichtet. Nach ersten Erkenntnissen hatten drei Unbekannte das Paket vor dem Gebäude im 16. Pariser Arrondissement deponiert, berichtete die Nachrichtenagentur AFP unter Berufung auf Polizeikreise. Verletzt wurde niemand. Ein Angestellter der Botschaft hatte demnach das Paket entdeckt und Alarm geschlagen. Da zu der Zeit nur wenig Menschen auf der Straße waren, wurde niemand verletzt. » | kgi/DPA/AFP | Mittwoch, 21. März 2012

5 Gamblers Caned in Indonesia's Aceh Province
MERCURY NEWS: LANGSA, Indonesia—Five Acehnese men convicted of gambling have been caned in public in the devout Islamic Indonesian province of Aceh.

They were flogged six times each Friday in front of hundreds of people at a field in East Aceh's district capital of Langsa. » | The Associated Press | Friday, March 09, 2012

Atheist Indonesian in Protective Custody After Being Beaten by Mob
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: An Indonesian civil servant who posted a Facebook message asserting that God did not exist was taken into protective custody after being badly beaten by a mob, some of them his colleagues.

The atheist identified as Alexander, who goes by just one name, now faces five years imprisonment for blasphemy after police officially arrested and charged him on Friday.

The Indonesian Council of Ulema, the Islamic religious authority, reported him over his remarks on a Facebook page he moderated which said: "God does not exist" Mr Alexander, 31, turned up at his government planning offices in Dharmasraya, western Sumatra, on Wednesday to be confronted by a group of men who beat him and then took him to the police. » | Ian MacKinnon in Bangkok | Friday, January 20, 2012

Indonesia's Transgender Couples Surrounded by Fear and Persecution

THE GUARDIAN: Kate Hodal reports on the dangers of defying taboos in the world's most populous Muslim country

It was anything but a normal wedding. The identity cards were forged, the groom's parents refused to attend, and only a handful of friends were invited. The event was so taboo it could have end[ed] with the bride and groom in jail.

"That day I felt like a freedom fighter, like liberty itself," says 28-year-old Noah of his Indonesian wedding, with the photograph album of last year's ceremony spread open across his knees. "But the truth is, we have no choice but to keep it a secret."

"It" is the fact that Noah, a small-boned man with teenage acne, a gelled-back crew cut and wispy moustache, is not yet – in the eyes of his government – a man.

One of a growing number of Indonesia's transgender people, Noah – who was born female, but is now pre-op female to male – is defying considerable sociocultural taboos in the world's most populous Muslim country to become who he feels he is: "A man who just wants to be with the person I love." » | Kate Hodal in Jakarta | Sunday, October 16, 2011

Indonesian Mayor Resists Building of Church
Despite losing all legal battles, mayor says he cannot allow a church to be built on a street with an Islamic name

Ban Christian Churches on Streets with Islamic Names, Says Indonesian Mayor
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Critics say the decree, proposed by Bogor mayor Diani Budiarto, is another example of growing religious intolerance in the world's most populous Muslim country.

The move is the latest attempt to block construction of a new church in Indonesia[.]

The Taman Yasmin Indonesian Christian Church was supposed to open in Bogor in 2008, but residents protested, claiming its permit was illegal.

Though the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the parishioners in December, Mayor Budiarto has so far refused to comply.

He argued he was pushing for a decree to make it illegal to open churches on streets with Islamic names.

Indonesia, a secular nation of 240 million, has a long history of religious tolerance, but an extremist fringe has become more vocal - and violent - in recent years. Continue reading and comment » | Tuesday, August 24, 2011

Maid's Beheading in Saudi Arabia Halts Indonesian Domestic Worker Scheme

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Indonesia will suspend sending domestic helpers to Saudi Arabia after the beheading of a maid convicted of murdering her Saudi employer.

Migrant worker Ruyati binti Sapubi, 54, was executed after she was convicted of murdering her Saudi employer, Khairiya bint Hamid Mijlid, with a meat cleaver.

The maid carried out the killing after she was denied permission to leave the kingdom and return to her family in Indonesia, according to officials in Jakarta.

"The Indonesian government has decided to impose a moratorium on sending workers to Saudi Arabia," labour minister Muhaimin Iskandar was quoted by state news agency Antara as saying.

The report did not provide further details but local media indicated the move was aimed at domestic workers, who make up about 70 per cent of the 1.2 million Indonesian workers in the Gulf state.

The suspension will take effect on August 1 and will remain until the Saudi government agrees to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to protect Indonesian workers' rights, Iskandar said.

Saudi Arabia apologised for failing to inform Indonesia of the beheading, while Jakarta formally protested to Riyadh over the execution.

"The ambassador apologised and regretted the situation and said that such a thing wouldn't happen again in future," foreign ministry spokesman Michael Tene said.

Indonesia recalled its ambassador to Riyadh earlier this week for consultations. » | Thursday, June 23, 2011

Austrabia – New Dark Age Alert! Australia/Islam: Islam Is One of the Fastest Growing Religions in Australia, Says Ambassador

INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC NEWS AGENCY: JAKARTA – The Australian ambassador to Indonesia has said that Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in his country, and that the faith contributes significantly to Australia’s success and contemporary culture.

Greg Moriaty, the Australian ambassador made the comments in a statement released to mark the arrival of three Muslim leaders from Indonesia to Australia earlier this week.

The visit by the Muslim delegation is part of an exchange program between the two countries aiming to build relations between the two countries.

According to ABNA, Moriaty said in the statement that he hoped to show the delegation the cultural diversity of Muslims in Australia, which consists of 70 different ethnic backgrounds, including from Indonesia.

The delegation will visit Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra to meet with various community leaders and religious representatives, and hopes to show Australia as a diverse accepting society. » | IINA | Saturday, June 18, 2011 / 15 Rajab

Maid’s Beheading Could See Ban on Workers in Saudi Arabia, Govt Says
JAKARTA GLOBE: The government is considering a moratorium on sending migrant workers to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the execution of Indonesian maid Ruyati Binti Sapubi for murdering her employer.

“It would be better to have a moratorium,” Heru Lelono, a presidential spokesman, said on Monday. “The Saudi court did not inform the Indonesian government about the execution [on Saturday], which shows ill will in regard to the relationship between the two countries.”

He added that it was important for the government to send migrant workers only to countries where their human rights would be respected.

“It’s not inconceivable that the same fate could befall another Indonesian worker,” Heru said.

“The Manpower Ministry must thus set guidelines and tighten the regulations for worker placement agencies. These agencies should not be absolved of all responsibility for the workers after finding them jobs. They should be accountable for any legal problems.”

In another development, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said he had recalled the country’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the case.

“We have recalled our ambassador [Gatot Abdullah Mansyur] for consultation to get a clearer picture of the problem so that we can evaluate it accordingly,” the minister said. » | Camelia Pasandaran, Ismira Lutfia & Ulma Haryanto | Monday, June 20, 2011

Related video »

Islamic Barbarity in Saudi Arabia! Furore over Indonesian's Beheading in Saudi
Indonesia has recalled its ambassador to Saudi Arabia in response to the execution of an Indonesian maid after being convicted of murdering her Saudi employer.

The incident has sparked protests in Jakarta and calls for an explanation from Riyadh.

In the past 20 years, a total of 303 migrant workers from Indonesia have been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia has managed to help only 12 of its citizens escape execution.

Al Jazeera's Syarina Hasi-buan reports from Jakarta.

Radical Indonesia Cleric Rejects Terrorism Charges

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE: PDT JAKARTA, Indonesia -- A radical Indonesian cleric facing life in prison on terrorism charges professed his innocence Monday and rejected the trial as outside Islamic law in a final court appearance before judges announce a verdict.

Abu Bakar Bashir is accused of helping to set up and fund a terror training camp in Aceh province for a group that allegedly planned attacks on foreigners and assassinations of moderate Muslim leaders such as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Prosecutors have sought a life sentence for Bashir, who co-founded the al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah network, which is blamed for some of Indonesia's deadliest suicide bombings.

Bashir, 72, denies involvement with the training camp but has repeatedly defended it as legal under Islam.

The white-bearded cleric told a Jakarta court that the case against him was fabricated and witnesses that testified by teleconference were doing so under pressure.

"Therefore their testimonies could not be trusted," he said. » | Associated Press | Monday, June 06, 2011

Indonesia Braces for Reprisal Attacks
Questions remain about how Osama bin Laden was killed, but the impact of his death on Al Qaeda inspired groups is already being evaluated.

Indonesia's government has been fighting its own battle against such groups for years.

And as Al Jazeera's Step Vaessen reports from Jakarta, it is unlikely much will change.

Indonesia: Islamic Militants 'Planned to Film Cathedral Bomb'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Islamic militants involved in a plot to bomb an Indonesian cathedral ahead of Easter celebrations planned to film and broadcast the inferno.

Indonesian police said 19 suspects, who had planted bombs beneath a gas pipeline at the Christ Cathedral near Jakarta, were part of a new terrorist cell inspired by al-Qaeda. » | Friday, April 22, 2011

Prince Andrew Attacked for Opening Door to Arms Dealers
THE AUSTRALIAN: PRINCE Andrew, the Duke of York was criticised for "opening doors for arms dealers" yesterday, while senior business and political figures gave their backing to his role as a government trade envoy.

Prince Andrew arrived back from his visit to Indonesia, which is seeking the lifting of a British arms export ban so that it can buy military jets.

His trip took place six weeks after David Cameron was criticised for promoting the sale of British weapons in Egypt as the country went through a bloody revolution.

It was his first trip as trade envoy since the revelation of his links to an American sex offender and support for deals with countries with questionable human rights records.

During the three-day trip he met President Yudhoyono and Mari Pangestu, the Indonesian Trade Minister, both of whom he had also met in Switzerland in January.

The Times revealed last month that Indonesia has made an informal approach to acquire as many as 24 Eurofighter Typhoon jets in a deal worth up to pounds 5billion ($7.7 billion AUD). Separately, BAE Systems has offered to upgrade the country's Hawk aircraft.

Gerald Howarth, the Defence Minister, attended a defence summit in Jakarta last month where he said that he expected to discuss sales of the Typhoon.

Sales of military equipment to Indonesia were banned in 1999 after reports that the Hawks were used to attack civilians in East Timor and West Papau.

Kaye Stearman, a spokeswoman for Campaign Against Arms Trade, said that Indonesia bought half of its military equipment from Britain in the five years leading up to the export ban.

"It seems that Prince Andrew's role is to open doors to arms deals rather than to do the actual negotiation," Ms Stearman said. "People in some of these countries are still impressed by the British royalty, but it is highly damaging for the Royal Family to be associated with such deals." » | David Brown | The Times | Monday, April 11, 2011

Bashir Walks Out of Trial
Mar 21 - Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir walks out of court for a third time at witness testimonies delivered via video link. Marie-Claire Fennessy reports

Public Beating for Selling or Buying Roses on Valentine[’]s Day
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE: JHAWARIAN – An informal survey by media reporters and the district administration revealed that a vast majority of residents condemned Valentines Day [sic] celebrations in the area. Several administrators and clerics have threatened public floggings for anyone seen selling or purchasing a red rose on February 14.

“Islam condemns Valentine’s Day and boys presenting flowers to young girls is vulgar and goes against the norms of Islam,” said Maulvi Ibrahim, adding that clerics in the district had made announcements stating that anyone seen purchasing or selling red roses should be punished in public.

“There is no reason for such holidays to be celebrated in Pakistan as they go against our culture and cause ‘moral corruption,” he said. A conference was called by clerics to discuss the ‘problems’ associated with celebrating Valentines [sic] Day in Pakistan. “We should put a ban on selling anything red (roses, chocolates, heart shaped balloons) on February 14th,” said Mufti Nadeem Tabish.

A dispute reportedly broke out between the clerics regarding the origins of Valentines [sic] Day. Several clerics maintained that Valentines Day was a Jewish holiday and others stated that the custom of handing out roses had been derived from Hindu culture. “I see no harm in celebrating Valentines [sic]. Everyone here has been debating where the day comes from even though it is named after a Christian saint. The clerics are trying to paint Valentines Day [sic] as an Israeli conspiracy,” said a high school student Karim.

“Young boys and girls do not interact let alone hand each other presents in our culture and Valentine’s Day has become an excuse for such reprehensible behaviour,” said a district officer Mumtaz Haroon. >>> | Monday, February 14, 2011

INQUIRER GLOBAL NATION: OFWs warned against celebrating Valentine’s Day in Saudi Arabia: MANILA, Philippines—"Don’t wear anything red or be seen in public carrying red roses or heart-shaped balloons and other items symbolizing Valentine's Day." >>> Jerry E. Esplanada | Moonday, February 14, 2011

OFW = Overseas Filipino Workers >>>

VOICE OF AMERICA: Valentine's Day Not Loved in Many Areas of the World: Monday marks the celebration of Valentine’s Day by much of the world. But it is a celebration that is drawing protests in some areas. >>> | Sunday, February 13, 2011

LA TIMES – BLOGS – BABYLON & BEYOND: SAUDI ARABIA: Black market for red roses surges with Valentine's Day crackdown – It isn't often that cynical singles and religious police find themselves on the same side, but this Sunday they will stand united against a common threat: Valentine's Day and its ubiquitous trappings.

Saudi Arabia's religious enforcers, backed by the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, have started their annual purge of anything Valentine-related, including flowers, gifts, candy and the color red. >>> Meris Lutz in Beirut | Saturday, February 12, 2011

THE WASHINGTON POST: Indonesian Muslims warned against Valentine's Day: JAKARTA, Indonesia -- An Indonesian Muslic cleric has warned his young followers against celebrating Valentine's Day, saying it is the same as promoting faiths other than Islam and could lead to forbidden sex. >>> nk-kjj, The Associated Press | Monday, February 14, 2011

Wishing all my visitors a very HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY. That goes for all my Muslim visitors too! Celebrate love! There's more than enough hatred in the world! – Mark

Indonesia’s Minority Religions Targeted