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November 23, 2005
Indonesia: Muslim Terrorist On Death Row Is Bestselling Author
Imran Samudra was sentenced to death on 18 September, 2003, for his part in the Bali bombings of 2002, which killed 202 people, mostly Australian tourists. He was said to be, after Hambali, the most important member of Muslim terror group, Jemaah Islamiyah ("Islamic Communities"). He is pictured above, wearing a purple kerchief, next to Amrozi, another convicted Bali conspirator.
During his trial he pulled contemptuous faces at his accusers and photographers, but said virtually nothing at the start of the trial, though by the end he was criticising the judges. Now his words are being lapped up in Indonesia, according to XinhuaNet.
His 281 page book, entitled "Saya Melawan Teroris" (Me Against Terrorists) , has sold 12,000 copies since September 2004. It describes his political beliefs, his hatred for the USA and why Bali was targetted.
The popularity of the book may explain why Muslims in Indonesia seem so complacent or silent concerning the murders and oppressions which have taken place against Christians, formerly by Laskar Jihad, and now by unnamed individuals in Sulawesi.
The Java based Jazera Publishing Company has now produced three print runs of the book, but have decided to print no more. The Indonesian government, which is currently reestablishing military ties with the US, has said it will review the book with a view to banning its sale.
Jazera publishes two other accounts of terrorism. One is called "People Say Father is Terrorist", by Paridah Abas, whose husband Ali Ghufron was tried at the same time as Samudra, and a book written by Paridah's brother Nasir Abis, entitled "Uncovering Jemaah Islamiyah". Neither of these books is as popular as the first hand account given by Samudra.
In an UPDATE: Adn Kronos announces that Hasyim Muzadi, who heads Indonesia's largest Islamic organisation, the Nahdlatul Ulama has said that Samudra's controversial book should be banned.
Muzadi, whose organisation has 40 million members said about the book: "Islam teaches that there shall be no killing of other human beings unless it is a war situation. The government must withdraw the book from sale."
The $4 book, whose cover shows Samudra in the pose he adopted during his trial, of raising one arm and wagging a finger at his judges (pictured), describes Samudra's early life, his mujahideen training in Afghanistan, and his exile in Malaysia. In one chapter, entitled "Hacking - Why Not?" Samudra also argues that Muslims should invade the websites of US companies.
Following the discovery of a video in which Noordin Top is shown urging jihad, and the three suicide bombers from the Bali atack of October 1 are also shown, describing their final thoughts about life and jihad. The National Police Chief, Gen. Sutanto said the police would distribute copies of the video to the public. "We will distribute the VCD to clerics so they can relay it to young people, and in turn those people will not be trapped by wrong teachings", he said. The government disagrees. As Muzadi says, "Young people could follow them."
Muzadi's conservative Nahdlatul Ulama has joined forces with the more progressive 30-million member Muhammadiyah in a taskforce aimed to combat extremism and terror in Indonesia. It is expected to track and inform upon terror suspects, and identify publications which advocate Islamic extremism, and have them put on a list to be banned. Adn Kronos states that it is believed to be producing its own publication, expounding a peaceful and tolerant version of Islam.
The agreements between the two groups, and also the hardline Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) - which issued a repressive fatwa in July which appears to have triggered much of the current Muslim aggression against minorities, were decided at a meeting held in the residence of the Vice President, Yusuf Kalla, on Thursday last week, according to last Friday's Jakarta post.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at November 23, 2005 2:33 PM
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