Tanjung Balai’s Burning Temples – A History of Bigotry!


Indonesian authorities detained seven suspects in northern Sumatra Island on Saturday for allegedly attacking several Buddhist temples.

Indonesia: Police detains 7 after attacks on Buddhist temples

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A spokeswoman for the North Sumatra provincial police said the suspects were a part of a mob that damaged at least three temples in Tanjung Balai town, near Medan, the fourth-biggest city of Indonesia…

But the police said the attack was not aimed at the Chinese community. “This was just a (dispute between) individuals…” 

And so it may have been.

But local reports say the police repeatedly called on the nasty rabble to disperse but incitement on ‘social media’ brought the malignants back.

  http://www.bbc.com/indonesia/berita_indonesia/2016/07/160730_indonesia_rusuh_tanjung_balai

buddha-statue A statue that tells a story

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Before anyone draws conclusions, let’s remind ourselves of the history of vicious Islamist sectarian bigotry focused on a Buddhist statue in Tanjung Balai.

Indonesia Inquisition Ministry Turns Guns Against Buddhists – Statue Downed at Islamist Behest 

That outrageous episode took place, of course, more than five years ago, and we have a different President and, thank God, a very different Minister of Religious Affairs.

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Once the pig-ignorant savages who committed this latest blasphemous arson are dealt with, perhaps President Jokowi could demonstrate his commitment to the pluralism he often preaches by restoring that statue in our photo to pride of place in Tanjung Balai?

And perhaps Minister Lukman could atone for his predecessor’s shortcomings by going up thee to unveil it personally.