In recent years, radical Muslims here have gained more power and energy, largely due to the weakness of our state. Our current government with the support of several parties and many of them are clearly in favor of the radicals.
These radicals are not only intolerant of the beliefs of minority groups, but also against the somewhat secular ideology of the state and its constitution, very tolerant.
Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population in the world. A large number of Muslims in this country are tolerant. In fact, many are moderate.
However, they are not as vocal as the handful of radicals who now see perpetrating violence against peace loving people in Indonesia, causing physical and emotional harm and causing awe undue Indonesian law for the loss of their basic rights for personal health, welfare and safety.
Unfortunately, these radicals have been made by various political parties for their own political reasons. Now they have become monsters.
On June 1, my friends and colleagues at the National Integration Movement and Anand Ashram Foundation (affiliated with the UN through the DPI) joined the National Alliance for Freedom of Faith and Religion in the demonstration for peace and anti-violence campaign.
We went there with our musical instruments, singing, dancing and having our message in a dignified, humane and nonviolent.
When we enter the realm where the National Monument in Central Jakarta, who were brutally attacked by radicals. More than 80 of us were injured - many seriously. One of our young people now suffer from permanent brain damage.
The police arrived, although a little late after these criminals did their work of violence. None of them was arrested on the spot. A few days later, after much pressure from the public and the media, the radicals who were undoubtedly responsible for these brutal attacks that many injured people were arrested.
Now, with thousands of followers, these radicals very hold any type of event and the campaign to almost anything in support of their mentors and ask for his release detainees.
The rise of radicalism in this country will certainly affect the safety of everyone. It is therefore in the interest of the world community that violent radicals must be stopped immediately. The evidence is abundant and is only the political will by our government is now required.
