The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 4 of 12)

p>Orlet's bilious dislike for Islam is evident in the color of every paragraph. His distortion and/or ignorance of fact likewise. As for Amsterdam being on the verge of becoming an Islamist dominated city, I haven't noticed any decline in the bustling crowds visiting the Walletjes or stopping for a smoke at a Coffee House. Orlet should cast his research net more broadly and try both. br> -- Tim Behrend br> Auckland, New Zealand /p> p> Christopher Orlet replies: br> Mr. Behrend seems to think Indonesia's militant Islamic groups are peaceful, philanthropic organizations. Nothing could be further from the truth. /p>

Mr. Behrend grudgingly admits that Jemaah Islamianh is affiliated with al Qaeda. As for the other militant groups:

FPI seeks to establish strict Sharia law throughout Indonesia (it is already in force in the province of Aceh) and has a long history of raiding saloons and other establishments that offer adult beverages. FPI's leader Habib Rizieq Shihab served a seven-month sentence for ordering his followers to attack Jakarta nightclubs. He objected vociferously to Western humanitarian aid workers after the tsunami, fearing it was a ruse to corrupt Muslims or lead to an eventual takeover. Time magazine has reported that both FPI and Laskar Jihad are suspected of receiving al Qaeda funds.

Darul Islam, an offshoot of Al-Qaeda-affiliated Jemaah Islamianh (many JI members are the children of Darul Islam members), has fought for an Islamic state and sent volunteers to Afghanistan to help fight the US.

Laskar Jihad is a paramilitary organization fighting a holy war against Christians. It's leader, Jafar Umar Thalib -- a cleric of Yemini descent -- fought with the Afghan Mujahideen against occupying Soviet forces and met Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan in 1987. In 2002 the BBC reported that "U.S. officials have also voiced concerns that Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network could be helping Laskar Jihad."

If "none of these groups can be labeled terrorist," as Mr. Behrend argues, then the word means nothing.

p>

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