Nine churches and six Buddhist temples shut down under Islamist pressure in Banda Aceh

by Mathias Hariyadi
For the city's deputy mayor, the buildings were not being properly used. They lacked the proper building permit and were used for "unlawful" purposes. She pledged greater monitoring of minority activities. Local sources say that the crackdown is the result of threats from extremist groups. FPI now wants other cities and towns to do the same.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Authorities in Banda Aceh, capital of the Aceh Special Territory, ordered the closure of nine Christian home churches and six Buddhist prayer houses for alleged irregularities in their building permit. According to Deputy Mayor Hajjah Illiza Sa'aduddin Djamal, the buildings were illegal because they lacked the right permit. Under the law, private homes cannot be used "for religious ceremonies or functions."

"Aceh is a special territory that enforces Sharia," she said and home churches violate the law because they lack the appropriate building permit (Izin Mendirikan Bangunan in Indonesian).

The issue is more complicated in the case of Christian places of worship because the latter require the agreement of a certain number of local residents and that of the local interfaith dialogue group. Under the pressure of radical Muslim groups, permits are often denied.

Deputy Mayor Djamal also wants the authorities to monitor the activities of Buddhist and Christian communities to ensure that their services are performed in the right places. This is necessary, in her view, to "maintain interfaith harmony." At the same time, "we shall not issue any new permit for other churches or vihara (Buddhist temples)."

Local Muslim extremists welcomed the decision. Yusuf Al-Qardhawy, head of the Aceh branch of the Islamic Defence Front (FPI), called on other jurisdictions to follow Banda Aceh, enforce Islamic law and stop any non-Muslim worship activity that is not approved.

He said the situation would be monitored constantly to ensure that rules are respected. Local sources note that the municipal order shutting Buddhist and Christian places of worship follows a complaint filed by Islamists concerning an "improper" use of buildings.

The province of Aceh, the westernmost of the archipelago of Indonesia, is also the only one which is subject to Sharia. Compliance is ensured by the 'morality police,' a special force that punishes violations in dress and behaviour.

In the past, a relative calm and religious harmony between the Muslim majority and "foreigners," members of various non-Islamic faiths, prevailed under the leadership of former guerrilla leader, now Governor Irwandy Yusuf.

More recently the situation has changed however. Attacks against religious minorities have started and fundamentalists has gained more power and freedom of action.

In last April's elections, Zaini Abdullah, a former guerrilla leader who lived in exile in Sweden, won promising to fight corruption and impose Islamic law.

The strict application of Sharia was one of the conditions separatist rebels imposed on Jakarta to end their armed struggle.

As a result of a recent spike in sectarian tensions, the area saw violence and attacks against Christian communities, which led to the closure of places of worship on the order of the authorities claiming that they lacked proper building permits.

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Nine-churches-and-six-Buddhist-temples-shut-down-under-Islamist-pressure-in-Banda-Aceh-26120.html

Pakistan aiding terrorists' infiltration into India: Shinde

By IANS - NEW DELHI

21st October 2012 05:00 PM

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde Sunday said that Pakistan is helping terrorists to enter our territory. PTI file photo

India's Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde Sunday targeted Pakistan for its help to terrorists infiltrating from across the border into the country.

"We have information that Pakistan is helping terrorists to enter our territory. We have intelligence inputs. But we are on an alert," Shinde said here on the sidelines of an event to mark the police commemoration day.

He said his ministry had issued directions to all security forces to be extra vigilant during the festival season and ensure peace. "I also appeal to people to be extra careful," he said soon after laying a wreath at a memorial for central and state police forces.

Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, Shinde said security forces cannot be withdrawn from the state till peace returns entirely.

"When I was in Jammu and Kashmir, locals asked me to remove the army from the Kashmir valley. But I told them that we can't do so till the situation is peaceful. I will remove the army when the situation is peaceful," he said.

Shinde was in the border state about a week ago on a security review tour when he met central security forces personnel posted there, apart from the civilian administration, to get apprised of the prevailing situation there.

The home minister also said he had visited the India-Bangladesh border Saturday and assessed the situation there.

Earlier, attending the police commemoration day ceremony, Shinde paid tributes to 575 security personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty in the last one year.

While 383 personnel from state police forces were killed between Sep 1, 2011 and Aug 31 this year, 192 men from the central armed police forces died during the same period.

This is the first time ever that all central police forces came together to observe the police commemoration day to remember their fallen comrades.

But, the government is yet to accord the status of 'martyrs' to the central police and paramilitary personnel who die in the line of duty, on a par with the defence forces personnel, though both fight insurgencies within the country.

On May 8 this year, Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh had told parliament in a written reply to questions from Lok Sabha members that "no consensus" could emerge on according 'martyr' status to central police and paramilitary personnel who die in line of duty, when it was discussed by a committee of secretaries last year.

"The matter (for giving status of martyr to paramilitary personnel) was considered by the committee of secretaries on Sep 14, 2011 but there was no consensus on the issue," Singh had then said.

http://newindianexpress.com/nation/article1309244.ece

Unity should be based on strong discipline, principles and accountability – BSO-Azad

Quetta :  Baloch Student Organisation - Azad held its second Central Committee meeting on October, 16 in Kalat city of Balochistan. The chairman of BSO-Azad, Baloch Khan Baloch, presided the gathering. Quarterly reports, organizational matters, national and International politics and further policies were the key point of the discussion of the meeting. The meeting also devised new policies to make the organisation more effective and active in future. Addressing the CC members the chairman of the organization, Baloch Khan, said that strong organisation and building trust in Baloch nation was the key to success. “We should depend on our nation instead of having expectations from any third party or foreigners. We can be successful in the movement only when we have the Baloch masses on our side.” The leader of BSO-Azad further said that different nations gave enormous sacrifices for their survival and in doing so they were also affected by the negative propaganda of those who tried to create division in their ranks but with mass support of their people they accumulated strength and help them succeeded in achieving their goals. He further said there has been rises and declines in the national movement at different times; lessons should be learnt from the failure and successes. The strength and weakness should be taken into account while devising future policies as it will help strengthen the cause of liberation. He said brining momentum in struggle and national consciousness in the general public can defeat the occupier. “The International forces cannot liberate any nation. Though the Baloch people may enjoy support of international community but it is the Baloch nation that has to struggle and give sacrifices to achieve the ultimate goal. The Baloch struggle is a historical struggle and it is not dependent on any International powers. Today the Baloch struggle is facing challenges at different fronts, which include religious extremism, out-dated tribal mentality and the political collaborators of the enemy,” he said. Mr. Khan further said that, “it must be clear that we cannot defeat the enemy until and unless we get over our weaknesses. Attainment of independence without strong organization, discipline, ideological and political consciousness is impossible. All the Baloch political organisations involved in struggle for liberation should follow these principles because we can only give a bright future to our nation when we follow these principles. “Debates on these issues in news statements and televisions debates are the need of the time. We will be successful to inform the world about Pakistani brutalities only after removing the frailties in our ranks.” Chairman Baloch Khan said, unity was the need of time among Baloch political forces but the unity should be based on strong discipline and principles backed by strong accountability. However, unity that lacks discipline and regulation doesn’t last long. “The occupier is using its all means against the Baloch political parties to make the conditions favourable for upcoming elections. Pakistani military and judiciary are trying hard to paint the Baloch movement as an internal affair of Pakistan. The Baloch nation should understand all these tactics of the enemy and they should struggle against the tyranny on practical basis,” said Mr Baloch Khan Baloch.

he International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (IVBMP) condemned death threats leaders of VBMP

London :  For immediate release: In a joint statement the IVBMP coordinators in the UK, USA, Canada, Sweden, Norway and Australia have appealed to International Human Rights Organisation and the UN to take notice of death threats to Mr Qadeer Baloch, the vice chairman of VBMP and other members of his organisation by Pakistan and ISI and Military Intelligence. Strongly condemning the death threats the IVBMP said that the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons is the only organisation that has been striving for the safe release of enforced disappeared Baloch political and human rights activists. Its sit-in protest has now reached to 935 days. The Pakistani security agencies have been threatening the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons’ members and leaders since its inception. Several members of the Organisation have also been abducted by Pakistani security forces and later killed in their custody. The leaders of the Organisation have met with the UN WGEID during their visit to Balochistan and presented them a list of enforced-disappeared and extra-judicial killed Baloch activists. After the UN team completed its visit – they have accused the Pakistani security forces for enforced-disappearances in Balochistan in their preliminary report. The Pakistani Intelligence agencies and Military Intelligence have intensified pressure on the activists of VBMP and its organisers to end their protest camp and stop what they call ‘defaming Pakistan’ before the international community. The female members of the organisation have been threatened to be acidified if they did not stop demanding the release of their loved ones. Mr Nasruallah Baloch and Qadeer Baloch have been threatened to be killed for raising their voice against extra judicial killings and enforced-disappearances. International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons has made it clear time and time again that the state of Pakistan and army are the principal culprit of enforced disappearance of Baloch political and human rights activists. Equally, we take the death threats against the members of VBMP extremely seriously. Pakistani state and security forces have proved their capability and willingness in countless occasions in committing such heinous crime. The IVBMP also said that Pakistani state and army will be held responsible if any harm is done to either the leadership of Voice for Baloch Missing Persons or any of its members. The IVBMP has urged the UN, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other international Humanitarian Organisation to take concrete action before it is too late. The death threat to the leaders of Voice for Baloch Missing Persons is very real and we urge these organisations to pressurise Pakistan to prevent this tragedy before it is too late.

Balochistan: Kill and dump continues as two Bullet-riddled bodies found

Quetta :  Two mutilated dead bodies were recovered in Uthal town of Hub in Balochistan on Thursday. Sourced said that some bypassers spotted the bodies and informed the Balochistan levies forces. The Levies authorities took the bodies and shifted them to District Headquarters Hospital in Lasbela for autopsy and identification. The victims were identified as that of Rashid Mengal, a resident of Spiny Road Quetta and Bahadur Khan, a resident of Kharan Balochistan. According to the hospital sources Bahadur Khan’s body was four days old whereas Rashid was killed 15 hours ago; bodies of both victims bore bullet wounds and were shot in upper torso. The officials said their identities were ascertained from two separate chits found in the pockets of the two victims. It, however, could not be confirmed immediately when the deceased went missing.

Save the Life of Zakir Majeed Baloch.

Zakir Majeed Baloch, 27, and a Master’s student in English from Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, was abducted by Pakistan’s intelligence agencies from Mastung Balochistan, on 8th of June, 2009. He was abducted while he was on his way from Parangabad market to a friend Waheed Baloch’s house. Waheed Baloch and Basit Baloch are eye witnesses this incident. The eyewitness’s accounts have also been published by Asian Human Rights Commission’s webpage. It says: 
“His alleged abductors drove up in two cars without number plates and asked the young man a few questions, saying that they were intelligence agents.They took Majeed away with them in their cars without making any charges. One car was a Toyota Vego, the other a Toyota Surf SSR.” 
Zakir Majeed was a human rights activist and was working to raise the voice for the thousands of other innocent Balochs who have been abducted by the intelligence agencies of Pakistan and against the grosshuman rights abuses committed by Pakistani occupied Balochistan. 
Its been a year since Zakir Majeed was abducted and his whereabouts are still unknown. 
We are extremely concerned about the safety of Zakir Majeed, who is being held in the secret torture cells of Pakistani establishment, and we fear that Zakir’s life is in under serious threats until he is not surfaced or released by Pakistan. Zakir Majeed and all the other Balochs living in occupied Balochistan are too entitled to all the rights mentioned in Universal Declaration of Human Rights as it states in its Article 2, and we call upon United Nations to immediately intervene in Balochistan and bring an end to the gross human rights abuses being committed in Balochistan, to compel Pakistan to end the occupation of Balochistan. 

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-858585

UN agency funded with Saudi money wants to edit world wide text book.

The UN agency that promotes education wants a say in how future textbooks are written, and Saudi Arabia -- a nation whose own school books have been criticized for promoting hatred of Christians and Jews -- is helping to bankroll the effort. 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is currently working with member states to revise its strategy for the publication of textbooks and learning materials. According to UNESCO's website, experts from 21 countries met in Paris last month at a meeting financed by a $29,000 Saudi donation and focused in part on "ways to ensure that content aimed at students systematically reflects cultural and religious diversity, and avoids gender stereotypes."

Then, last week, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah cut a $20 million check to UNESCO's emergency fund.

The UN agency that promotes education wants a say in how future textbooks are written, and Saudi Arabia -- a nation whose own school books have been criticized for promoting hatred of Christians and Jews -- is helping to bankroll the effort. 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is currently working with member states to revise its strategy for the publication of textbooks and learning materials. According to UNESCO's website, experts from 21 countries met in Paris last month at a meeting financed by a $29,000 Saudi donation and focused in part on "ways to ensure that content aimed at students systematically reflects cultural and religious diversity, and avoids gender stereotypes."

Then, last week, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah cut a $20 million check to UNESCO's emergency fund.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/10/16/un-agency-funded-with-saudi-money-wants-to-edit-worldwide-textbooks/#ixzz29gI5YNFi