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Anti-U.S. Protesters Burn Bush Effigy in Jakarta
JAKARTA, Oct 12 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - In a day of protests Friday in Indonesia, Muslims showed their anger and despair over the U.S.-led attacks on Afghanistan with the burning of effigies depicting the U.S. and its president, George W. Bush.
Hundreds of Indonesians took to the streets in several cities, again proclaiming the innocence of Osama bin Laden, who is now their hero, and criticizing the U.S. and Great Britain for their bombing of the Afghanistan.
Police in Jakarta were prompt in putting out the fire burning the Bush effigy and this quick action may have saved Megawati Sukarnoputri's regime in the eyes of Washington, an observer told IslamOnline.
The irony in Jakarta is that Megawati's government is being seen as sloppy in its condemnation of the attacks against Afghanistan, this in the wake of major protests by religious groups.
Hundreds of activists from several organizations in Jakarta on Friday issued a statement calling on Parliament to censure Megawati's regime, which after two months in power, is facing the wrath of protesters.
The explosive mixture of fugitive Tommy Suharto's case - he has been discharged of all blame in a corruption case where he was earlier condemned to a jail sentence - combined with the U.S.'s attacks on Afghanistan, are becoming untenable for the government.
In Jakarta's streets, one could read banners stating that a united Islam will not be defeated. Another banner said Islamic unity would defeat the Jews and their collaborators. Some demonstrators were wearing Osama bin Laden t-shirts, a product that has become a hit in Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand.
The crowd in front of the U.S. embassy jeered and screamed when one of the leading members of the rally said that not a single nation helping in the air raids against Afghanistan should be allowed to open offices in Indonesia.
They warned U.S. citizens still in the country to leave Indonesia immediately.
Demonstrators also urged the people to boycott U.S. products and restaurants in a bid to cut off all support to the U.S.
They produced a list of products to be boycotted: McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, TFC, Pizza Hut, CFC, Sizzler, Kenny Rogers, Dunkin Donuts, Clear Shampo, Head & Shoulders, Sunsilk, Rejoice, Dimension, Lifebuoy, Lux, Coca Cola, Sprite, Fanta, RC Cola, Pepsi, Pepsodent, Close-up, Revlon, Chicklets, Wrigleys Gum, Lotte, Mentos, pampers, Brisk, Brylcream, Nike, Adidas, Levi's Jeans, LEA Jeans, Ralph Laurent, Calvin, Mark & Spencer and Citibank.
In an attempt to calm protesters, House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tanjung asked that the government show a firmer and more unequivocal stance over the U.S.-led attacks on Afghanistan.
"The government should not only say that it notes the attacks, but also issue a clear and firm statement, such as asking the United States to stop the bombings," Akbar said, as quoted by Antara.
Meanwhile, minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil said on Friday that the U.S. government had to prove its allegation that an international terrorist network associated with the U.S.'s most wanted, bin Laden, existed in Indonesia.
"We do not know about the presence of an Osama-linked terrorist network here. We need to check and recheck it so as to avoid making false conclusions and statements," Matori was quoted as saying by Antara.
The allegation was made by an official of the U.S. State Department and published by The New York Times, claiming that the al-Qaeda network, chaired by bin Laden, also existed in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Pro-bin Laden Indonesians and movements have held protests for a week around the country. More protests are expected in the future.
Indonesia is a largely Muslim country, with a population of 212 million, 85% to 90% of which are Muslim.
With additional reporting by Kazi Mahmood
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