Suicide Bombings in Jakarta
At least nine people were killed in two blasts at luxury hotels in Jakarta on Friday. Sybille Golte says the attacks unfairly damage Indonesia's reputation as the most tolerant nation in the Islamic world
The attacks have shocked the nation - but the people of Indonesia have proven more than once that fundamentalism has no place in their society, writes Sybille Golte
Despite tight security and an active anti-terrorism policy, suicide bombers once again struck in the heart of Indonesia, sending a devastating message. The attacks in Jakarta are a heavy blow to the recently re-elected Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
In recent years, Jemaah Islamiah, the militant group with links to al-Qaeda and which is suspected to be behind the Jakarta attacks, has maintained a low profile.
Illusory calm
Indonesia's security forces have scored minor successes against followers of radical groups and the execution of the Bali bombers made international headlines.
While the number of terrorist attacks around the world continued to rise, Indonesia – which was shaken by the devastating bomb attacks on the island of Bali in 2002 – seemed to have the problem under control.
But now, that turns out to be just an illusion. Tough security measures – which are the norm in all big luxury hotels in the Indonesian capital – failed to prevent the attacks. And apparently the terrorists have the infrastructure to carry out a coordinated attack in several places in Jakarta.
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono: the Indonesian will get the support of the people, who since the attacks in Bali at the latest, are weary of violence and extremism, says Sybille Golte
Whether it's terrorism in Bali, attacks on the Australian embassy or on the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta – just as in recent years, this time too the targets are foreigners.
Both luxury hotels where the suicide bombers hit are known for their international clientele. But most of the victims are Indonesians – at the site of the bomb blasts as well as beyond.
The Indonesian tourism industry had just begun to recover from the effects of the Bali attacks. New travel warnings are likely to end that budding recovery. It remains to be seen how investors will react to the terrorist attacks.
Attacks harm image of tolerance
The images of the bombed hotel facades in Jakarta will once again damage the reputation of the world's most populous Muslim nation.
That's unfair. The people of Indonesia have proven more than once that fundamentalism has no place in their society. Even religious parties don't have sizable followers and have no chance of success during elections.
A heated debate erupted last year in the country after the parliament passed a controversial anti-pornography law that was strongly influenced by religious forces. The debate has not eased till today. An alert civil society and critical media have always clashed with conservative-religious forces and radical preachers.
Indonesia isn't just the most populous Muslim nation – it's also the most tolerant country in the Islamic world. That's why it's all the more tragic that it's once again making international headlines as a location for terrorism.
The motives of the terrorists are still not clear. But they have succeeded in severely damaging the country. But if they hoped to win new followers with spectacular attacks, in Indonesia they're likely to be disappointed.
The opposite is the case: Indonesia will tighten its anti-terrorism policies and President Yudhoyono will get the support of the people, who since the attacks in Bali at the latest, are weary of violence and extremism.
Sybille Golte
© Deutsche Welle 2009
Sybille Golte heads Deutsche Welle's Asia Service
Printversion
Indonesia Shaken by Terrorist Attacks
At least nine people were killed in two blasts at luxury hotels in Jakarta on Friday. Sybille Golte says the attacks unfairly damage Indonesia's reputation as the most tolerant nation in the Islamic world
; "Police officers stand guard outside the Ritz-Carlton hotel after an explosion went off there in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, July 17, 2009 (photo: AP)")
The attacks have shocked the nation - but the people of Indonesia have proven more than once that fundamentalism has no place in their society, writes Sybille Golte
Despite tight security and an active anti-terrorism policy, suicide bombers once again struck in the heart of Indonesia, sending a devastating message. The attacks in Jakarta are a heavy blow to the recently re-elected Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.In recent years, Jemaah Islamiah, the militant group with links to al-Qaeda and which is suspected to be behind the Jakarta attacks, has maintained a low profile.
Illusory calm
Indonesia's security forces have scored minor successes against followers of radical groups and the execution of the Bali bombers made international headlines.
While the number of terrorist attacks around the world continued to rise, Indonesia – which was shaken by the devastating bomb attacks on the island of Bali in 2002 – seemed to have the problem under control.
But now, that turns out to be just an illusion. Tough security measures – which are the norm in all big luxury hotels in the Indonesian capital – failed to prevent the attacks. And apparently the terrorists have the infrastructure to carry out a coordinated attack in several places in Jakarta.
; "Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (photo: AP)")
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono: the Indonesian will get the support of the people, who since the attacks in Bali at the latest, are weary of violence and extremism, says Sybille Golte
Whether it's terrorism in Bali, attacks on the Australian embassy or on the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta – just as in recent years, this time too the targets are foreigners. Both luxury hotels where the suicide bombers hit are known for their international clientele. But most of the victims are Indonesians – at the site of the bomb blasts as well as beyond.
The Indonesian tourism industry had just begun to recover from the effects of the Bali attacks. New travel warnings are likely to end that budding recovery. It remains to be seen how investors will react to the terrorist attacks.
Attacks harm image of tolerance
The images of the bombed hotel facades in Jakarta will once again damage the reputation of the world's most populous Muslim nation.
That's unfair. The people of Indonesia have proven more than once that fundamentalism has no place in their society. Even religious parties don't have sizable followers and have no chance of success during elections.
A heated debate erupted last year in the country after the parliament passed a controversial anti-pornography law that was strongly influenced by religious forces. The debate has not eased till today. An alert civil society and critical media have always clashed with conservative-religious forces and radical preachers.
Indonesia isn't just the most populous Muslim nation – it's also the most tolerant country in the Islamic world. That's why it's all the more tragic that it's once again making international headlines as a location for terrorism.
The motives of the terrorists are still not clear. But they have succeeded in severely damaging the country. But if they hoped to win new followers with spectacular attacks, in Indonesia they're likely to be disappointed.
The opposite is the case: Indonesia will tighten its anti-terrorism policies and President Yudhoyono will get the support of the people, who since the attacks in Bali at the latest, are weary of violence and extremism.
Sybille Golte
© Deutsche Welle 2009
Sybille Golte heads Deutsche Welle's Asia Service
Qantara.de
Presidential Elections in Indonesia
A Vote for Security and Stability
The challengers to incumbent President Yudhoyono have clearly underestimated his popularity. They have failed to impress the public with their colourless public appearances and vague party programmes. By Christina Schott
Indonesia's Liberal Islam Network
Interpreting Islam in its Social Context
In Indonesia, eight months before September 11 2001, a small group of Muslim intellectuals got together with the aim of forming a progressive counterbalance to the conservative Islamist movements in their country. Christina Schott reports
Islamism in Indonesia
Democracy's Enemy Within
Indonesia's Justice and Prosperity Party, PKS, threatens Indonesia with ballots more than bullets, writes Sadanand Dhume. It shares the radical beliefs of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and threatens the nation's success in a globalizing world
Presidential Elections in Indonesia
A Vote for Security and Stability
The challengers to incumbent President Yudhoyono have clearly underestimated his popularity. They have failed to impress the public with their colourless public appearances and vague party programmes. By Christina Schott
Indonesia's Liberal Islam Network
Interpreting Islam in its Social Context
In Indonesia, eight months before September 11 2001, a small group of Muslim intellectuals got together with the aim of forming a progressive counterbalance to the conservative Islamist movements in their country. Christina Schott reports
Islamism in Indonesia
Democracy's Enemy Within
Indonesia's Justice and Prosperity Party, PKS, threatens Indonesia with ballots more than bullets, writes Sadanand Dhume. It shares the radical beliefs of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and threatens the nation's success in a globalizing world
Printversion
The scope of the Iranian government's crackdown on dissent since the disputed June 2009 elections is even broader and the abuses more flagrant than previously reported. More on Human Rights Watch...
Renowned Columbia University Iran scholar Hamid Dabashi hosts "The Week in Green: A Window into the Iranian Civil Rights Movement". The weekly program aims to keep audiences plugged in to news and analysis on the pro-reform Green Movement in Iran. More...
The documentary film The Making of Islam: Empire of Faith covers more than a thousand years of history and culture, and a very large part of the world. Watch full PBS documentary on YouTube...
In "Ghost Wars", Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Steve Coll tells the secret history of the CIA's role in Afghanistan, from its covert program against Soviet troops from 1979 to 1989, to the rise of the Taliban, to the secret efforts by CIA officers to capture or kill bin Laden in Afghanistan after 1998. More...
AVAAZ.org is an international civic organisation that promotes political action on issues such as human rights, and religious conflicts. The NGO's "Stop the Clash" video has had nearly 1.5 million views. Click here...
- Literary Dialogues
- Religious Dialogue
- Cultural Dialogue
- Israel, Palestine
- Islamic Feminism
- Reformist Islam
- Islamism
- Europe, Turkey
- Headscarf Debate
- Globalisation
- Musical Worlds
- Iranian Cinema
- Internet
- Travelogues
- Women in the Islamic World
- Democracy and Civil Society
- Migration in Germany
- Art in the Islamic World