The article below says the reason for the attack is unknown. Maybe I am
incorrect
and there is some local explanation, but anyone familiar with Shariah Law
knows that
when it is taken in a literal sense, which is usually how it is taken,
there can be
no construction of new churches or any other non-Muslim religious
buildings.
Existing churches may be allowed to stand, even existing temples under
Hanafi
rules of jurisprudence, one of the four accepted schools of Shariah
interpretation,
but no repairs can be made except maybe under special circumstances.
In the real world it happens in various countries that Shariah
restrictions
are interpreted in such a way that new churches or temples can actually
constructed,
If, for instance, a regime fears civil unrest from a Christian province, it
may 'find some way
around Shariah and churches get built or repaired. Or a state may need to
accommodate
a non-Muslim nation which is stronger militarily or economically.
Expedience can
then trump true belief -since hard core political leaders tend to look
at religion
in pragmatic terms, not usually as sincere believers themselves.
But what happens when religious true belief becomes well known among the
hoi polloi
or more-or-less independent elites of various stripes ?
The following article tells us quite well.
Billy
A thousand Islamic extremists, including women and children, storm a
Church near Jakarta
Mathias Hariyadi ("AsiaNews," December 18, 2009)
Jakarta, Indonesia – Last night a crowd of angry Muslims, including women
and children, attacked the Church of Saint Albert, in Bekasi Regency, about
30 kilometres east of Jakarta. The situation is now under control but the
local Catholic community is afraid of an escalation before Christmas.
Kurniadi is a member of the committee charged with the church’s
construction. He told AsiaNews, “Suddenly, a bunch of bikers arrived in the
area where
the church stands.” They had banners and kerosene tanks. “We don’t know
why we were attacked,” he said.
Kristina Maria Renteana, who was present when the Church was attacked,
said, “The mob had about a thousand people,” not only men, but “women and
children” as well.
Running around in cars and motorbikes is a tradition for Indonesian Muslims
during “national celebrations.”
Last night was the first day of the Islamic New Year, the start of the
month of Muharram. Local sources told AsiaNews, on condition of anonymity,
that
the “crowd was made of people from Tarumajaya and Babelan”, two villages
in North Bekasi where Islamic extremists are a majority.
Saint Albert’s Church, a chapel that is part of Saint Arnold’ Church in
Bekasi, was not yet finished. Started on 11 May 2008, it had the required
building permit for places of worship and was 80 per cent complete. Workers
had finished the walls and the roof. Only ceramic floor tiles had to be laid.
Although not yet finished, it was set to host Christmas Mass for the local
Christian community.
Now it is damaged but police and government authorities have urged the
parish priest, Fr Joseph Jagadwa, to go ahead with the Mass anyway.
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