Three murderers faced a firing squad in Indonesia yesterday. They were rewarded for the killing of two hundred and two innocent people by a bullet in the heart - and burial in their home villages.
They expressed no remorse. In fact, they urged those followers of the religious sect Jemaah Islamiah to engage in holy war and kill all others who are not prepared to adhere to it's twisted interpretation of Islam.
The leader of this sect, Abu Bakar Bashir officiated at the funerals - and openly called for Jemaah Islamiah adherents to continue the killing spree.
This raises an interesting question. If someone openly calls for murder to be committed - is that not a crime ?
If the leader of a criminal gang openly called on his followers to kill members of the police then retribution would be sure to swiftly follow. He would be charged with inciting murder, convicted and promptly sent to prison.
The difference seems to hinge on one crucial aspect - religion !
Muklas, Amrozi and Imam Samudra killed because they claim their religion demands all non Muslims be killed.
There are about a billion Muslims in this world and only a minute fraction of that number hold this view. The problem is that religion seems to strike terror into the hearts of governments. What is criminal activity in others is ignored once the cloak of religion enters the argument !
Times are changing. Immediately after the 9/11 attack in America Muslim leaders went silent on their views on radical elements like al Qaeda. This was viewed as tacit support by many - but the rank and file have had time to digest world events and Muslim leaders now seemed confident to speak out against the atrocities of this sect.
Eventually the Indonesian government will gain the courage to act. People like Abu Bakar Bashir need to be taken out of circulation and condemned for his call to commit murder.
Religion becomes a curse when it is used as a shield to cloak diversity pitting a small number of fanatics against the rest of the world !
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