Book Review : Riz (The Rizwan Sabir Mysteries) - Charlie Flowers 7*

Riz is the début e-novel from Fighting Cocks band leader Charlie Flowers.  It tells the story of Riz, a former wannabe Al-Qaeda terrorist now working for a shadowy and violent branch of British security.

Riz is a fast paced novella and liberally peppered with guns, bombs and blood.  It takes place in contemporary London at the time of the 2012 Olympic Games, Riz is employed to get inside a terrorist cell and nullify them, to this end he associates himself with a group of cyber-hacking, gun-toting, helicopter flying girls known as the Hur al-hyn, Cheerleaders or Black Eyed Maidens.  This then is where life imitates art imitates life.  Flowers heads up a pro-Muslim / anti extremism group called the Cheerleaders who are variously a group armed with the cultural weapons of mass destruction - according to themselves, or possibly a group of lunatic fringe internet trolls and bullies - according to a handful of right wing bloggers. Is Flower's vision of  heavily armed babes taking on Islamic terrorists just fantasy then, or does it cross over into the real world, it certainly adds a level of intrigue to a fairly strait-forward narrative.

Flowers mixes a fast paced spook story with gore in abundance as the Hur al-Hyn ladies launch themselves against their nominated foes in a visceral frenzy, look away if the thought of teenage girls playing football with severed heads is likely to upset or offend.  The plot builds in a vivid cinematic style to an apocalyptic fire-fight and leaves a plot thread hanging for the follow up novel.

Mostly I really enjoyed Riz, but where it could do with a little more work was a broader look at the both the moral reasoning and background of both Riz and the Hur al-Hyn girls, their motives seemed slightly glib and glossed over.  The blur of acronyms didn't help clarity at a couple of points. Amidst the general carnage and welter of gunfire and explosions though these are only minor criticisms. Riz, despite the title, isn't a mystery, it's a fast paced action adventure novel, a sort of boys own rush crossed with Die Hard and the opening ten minutes of Saving Private Ryan. Gun filled, blood drenched, high octane mayhem. The Kindle edition from Amazon can be bought at the bargain price of 77p!

Defining Islam

"Defining Islam is far from a simple matter. Using Western categories that may be alien to Muslim perceptions, we may state from the start that Islam may be both a religious faith and a political ideology; it is also, in some contexts, a mark of personal and group identity. These three definitions neither exclude nor include each other." - Malise Ruthwen, A Very Short Introduction To Islam, Oxford University Press, 1997.

PM Abhisit and Muslim Girls in Yala

This is an interesting photo of Thai PM Abhisit meeting with Muslim girls in Yala. Notice their makeup and sense of style and obvious beauty. I've had the same experience traveling around SE Asia and visiting very fundamentalist Muslim towns. The girls are anxious to meet you and change your mind about Islam. It's a real change of pace and a change of mind.

Muslim Leaders in Indonesia Protest Movie 2012

Everybody has something to say about the movie 2012, including the conservative Muslim Union Indonesia (MUI) political group which feels that only Islam can predict the end of the world. Indonesia Matters has a few words on the subject.

Obscure branches of the MUI have their 15 minutes of fame in protest at the '2012' doomsday movie.

Several regional branches of the Indonesian Ulema Council/Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) have protested at the content of the apocalyptic 2012 movie, claiming it was unsuitable to be viewed by Muslims, because only Allah knew when the world would end, not heathens like the Mayans.

First out of the blocks was Mahmud Zubaidi, the leader of the Malang, East Java MUI, who asked the Information minister Tifatul Sembiring to withdraw 2012 from the nation's movie screens, and said

Only Allah knows when doomsday will come.

Meanwhile in nearby Situbondo MUI members raided several Internet cafes in the area looking to confiscate pirated DVDs of the movie and prevent happy web surfers from downloading it. MUI head in Situbondo, K.H. Abdullah Faqih Gufron, said the movie had upset a lot of people in the town.

In Kalimantan, Prof. H. Asywadie Syukur, Lc, also suggested the government ban the 2012 movie.

I agree with the Malang MUI, East Java, which states that the 2012 movie can mislead the people, especially the Muslims, so the government needs to re-evaluate the permit.

While in Bogor, West Java, primary school students at SD Kemang burned pirated DVD's and posters of 2012 in protest, among other 'spontaneous' and well beat-up by the media pseudo reactions.

Bali Sari Club Terrorist Bombing Site

Thank God. The Sari Club will NOT be replaced with yet another disco nightclub, but hopefully will remain a place of remembrance with an appropriate space and memorial. Some type of business should be allowed on the backside of this lot, but it shouldn't be anything insulting to the Aussies and Balinese who lost their lives to the Islamic fundamentalist hated of days gone by.

Badung regency has rejected an application by a local businessman to build a nightspot on the site of the bombed Sari Club in Legian, saying the area must be used for humanitarian purposes, such as a proposed peace park. The decision paves the way for the West Australian-based Bali Peace Park Association to forge ahead with plans to turn the site in the busy tourist strip into a garden of reflection.

In August it was revealed that businessman Kadek Wiranatha had bought and fully paid for a 30-year lease on the land, from its Jakarta-based owner, and planned to construct a restaurant and bar at the location, with construction planned to start before the end of this year.

The site, where some preparatory works for building have already been done, is now being used as a car park. Previously it had been used only as an informal motorbike parking lot. On Thursday Badung Regent AA Gede Agung announced that permission would not be granted to build a commercial complex on the site. He made the announcement at a ceremony at the Australian Consulate-General in Denpasar held to mark the anniversary of the second Bali bombings, on October 1, 2005.

“There was an application for development of the land at the former Sari Club, but a [building] permit has not been issued and therefore I ordered that any building work be stopped,” he said.

Twin bombings of Paddy’s Bar and the Sari Club on October 12, 2002, killed 202 people, 88 of them Australians. The regent said he supported the construction of a Bali Peace Park “out of respect for the human tragedy that happened at that place.”

Contacted by The Bali Times on Friday, Wiranatha’s lawyer and business partner, Oka Semadi, said he could not comment directly on the news and was “seeking clarification from the regent’s office.” Regent Agung said it would take about three months for negotiations to conclude regarding the land ownership.

Malaysia: Muslims Unhappy about Hindu Temple Relocation

The Malay Muslims in Malaysia in the suburb of Shah Alam are upset that a Hindu temple will be relocated to a more Hindu friendly neighborhood, but why the oxen head? Another example: organized religion is often the root of all evils.

SHAH ALAM, Aug 28 — A group of Malay-Muslim protesters claiming to be residents of Section 23 have threatened bloodshed unless the state government stopped the construction of a Hindu Temple.

Amid chants of "Allahuakbar," the group also left the severed head of a cow at the entrance of the State Secretariat here as a warning to Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

The "residents" said that the construction of a Hindu temple in a 90 per cent Malay- Muslim neighbourhood was insensitive because activities there would disrupt their lives.

They claimed that the "noise" from the temple would disturb their own praying, and that they would not be able to function properly as Muslims.

The group of 50 over protestors marched shortly after Friday prayers from the Shah Alam State mosque to the State Secretariat.

“I challenge YB Khalid, YB Rodziah and Xavier Jeyakumar to go on with the temple construction. I guarantee bloodshed and racial tension will happen if this goes on, and the state will be held responsible,” shouted Ibrahim Haji Sabri amid strong chants of “Allahu Akbar!”

Ibrahim identified himself as the Deputy Chairman of the Resident’s Committee against the building of the temple in S23 here, which is perceived by some as being a Muslim majority area.

He told the press that the state should move the temple to Section 22 as ‘originally planned’, and also labelled Khalid a “traitor to the Malay race and Islam”.

It is understood that the protest is an immediate reaction towards the Selangor MB’s visit to the Hindu temple site yesterday, an act seen by the "residents" as disrespectful to the Muslims of the community.

Mohd. Zurit Bin Ramli, who claims to be the secretary of the "Coalition of Malaysian NGOs" echoed Ibrahim’s stand on the matter, saying that it was irresponsible on the part of the state government to approve the construction as there was apparently a “90 per cent” majority Muslim population in Section 23.

“With a temple on our residential area, we cannot function properly as Muslims. The temple will disrupt our daily activities like prayers in the Surau. We cannot concentrate with the sounds coming from the temple,” stated Zurit.

When asked whether members of the protest were affiliated with any organisations or movements, Ibrahim claimed that the people present today were members of PAS, PKR as well as Umno who are “united in the name of Islam and the Malay spirit.”

The state government was also accused of lying to the people of Selangor.

Malaysian Islamic Party seeks Concert Ban

Oh no, it's happening again. The leading Muslim party in Malaysia wants Michael Learns to Rock banned from performing next month at Genting Highlands. Wouldn't it just be easier to ban Muslims from the concert, but allow non-Muslims to attend and have some fun without their Muslim brethern? Why not just ban Muslims from all rock concerts? And keep them out of all nightclubs that serve liquor?

The New York Times reports and reminds us of other rock performers who have had problems with the Malaysian government.

Malaysia’s conservative Islamic party on Monday called for the Danish band Michael Learns to Rock to be banned from performing next month, saying it was an insult to Muslims during Ramadan.

The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) has campaigned against several foreign performers, and in 2007 threatened protests which forced Beyoncé to scrap a planned concert in Malaysia.

“We are opposing this concert because holding it does not respect Muslims as it is the fasting month of Ramadan, a time for holiness and cleanliness,” PAS youth wing chief Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi told Agence France-Presse.

“It is an insult to Islam for the government to allow such a concert to take place and we urge all groups to follow our lead in demanding the concert be banned,” he said.

The “Michael Learns to Rock — Eternity Tour 2009” is set to take place at the Genting Highlands resort north of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, on September 5, according to the Web site of the promoter, Star Planet.

A spokesman for the company was not immediately available for comment.

Mr. Nasrudin said his party would consider “taking action” if the government did not stop the performance but did not specify what form that would take.

PAS held protests against Avril Lavigne’s concert last year after failing to have it banned, saying her performance would weaken the younger generation “morally and mentally.”

A performance by Gwen Stefani was also singled out, and although the event went ahead she was forced to cover up after complaints about her skimpy outfits.

Malaysian Woman to be Caned for Drinking Beer in Hotel Lobby

I hope the Malaysian government appreciates how much bad international press this caneing will bring. The Wall Street Journal comments:

The Muslims of Southeast Asia have long distinguished themselves by the practice of a tolerant form of Islam. The case of a Malaysian Muslim woman sentenced by an Islamic court to six lashes of the cane for drinking beer calls that reputation into question.

Under Malaysian law, all ethnic Malays are considered Muslims and are bound by Islamic law, which outlaws alcohol consumption. The defendant in this case, Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, pleaded guilty, paid a fine and asked to be lashed in public. The court declined. The 32-year-old mother of two will be caned in jail in the coming days.

This is no trivial punishment. "At the end of the caning, those who receive more than three strokes will be in a state of shock," a Singaporean director of prisons explained in a 1974 interview. "Many will collapse." No wonder Malaysian civil courts outlaw caning as a punishment for women.

Nor are judges in Islamic courts bound to mandatory sentences in cases like Ms. Kartika's, because they are expected to exercise good judgment and a sense of proportion. Instead, the judge chose the most severe punishment for a first-time offender, possibly to send a message at the start of Ramadan. He could have issued a fine or a short jail sentence.

So far, no major political party in Malaysia has questioned Ms. Kartika's punishment. In apostasy cases over the past few years, Malaysia's civil courts are also voluntarily ceding jurisdiction to their Shariah counterparts.

Asia's majority-Muslim democracies have to come to grips with how to manage a conservative Islamic fringe that cheers decisions like Ms. Kartika's. Those democracies should think carefully about what appeasing that fringe is likely to do to their traditions of tolerance, not to mention their aspirations for a freer future.

Noordin Top and Jemaah Islamiah Now has a Blogspot

Looks like the Malaysian nutcase responsible for the recent hotel bombings in Jakarta, and the nightclub bombings on Bali, has discovered Blogspot and just posted his twisted explantion for his sick deeds. The Google Translation of the original Bahasa Indonesian is as follows:

DETAIL TANDZIM THE OFFICIAL QO'IDAH INDONESIA

ATAS AMALIYAT JIHADIYAH ISTISYHADIYAH FOR THE AMALIYAT JIHADIYAH ISTISYHADIYAH

DI HOTEL JW. IN HOTEL JW. MARRIOT JAKARTA MARRIOT VE

اَلْحَمْدُ ِللهِ مُعِزِّ اْلإِسْلاَمِ بِنَصْرِه، وَمُذِلِّ الشِّرْكِ بِقَهْرِه، وَمُصَرِّف اْلأُمُور بِأَمْرِه، وَمُسْتَدْرِجِ اْلكَافِرِيْنَ بِمَكْرِه، اَلَّذِي قَدّرَ اْلأَيَّامَ دُولاً بِعَدْلِه، وَالصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلاَمُ عَلَى مَنْ أَعْلَى اللهَُ مَنَارَ اْلإِسْلاَمِ بِسَيْفِه. الحمد لله معز الإسلام بنصره, ومذل الشرك بقهره, ومصرف الأمور بأمره, ومستدرج الكافرين بمكره, الذي قدر الأيام دولا بعدله, والصلاة والسلام على من أعلى الله منار الإسلام بسيفه.

أمَّا بعد أما بعد

Ini adalah keterangan resmi dari Tandzim Al Qo'idah Indonesia untuk ummat Islam dengan Amaliyat Jihadiyah Istisyhadiyah di Hotel JW. This is the official description of Tandzim Al Qo'idah Indonesia to Islam with the human Amaliyat Jihadiyah Istisyhadiyah at Hotel JW. MARRIOT Jakarta, pada hari Jum'at pagi, tanggal 17 juli 2009 M./24 Rojab 1430 H. MARRIOT Jakarta, on Friday morning, on 17 July 2009 M./24 Rojab 1430 H. yang dilakukan oleh salah satu ikhwah mujahidin terhadap "KADIN Amerika" di Hotel tersebut. conducted by one of the mujahidin against ikhwah "KADIN America" at the hotel.

Sesungguhnya telah sempurna pelaksanaan Amaliyat Istisyhadiyah dengan karunia Allah dan karomah-Nya setelah melakukan survey yang serius dan pengintaian yang mendalam terhadap orang-orang kafir sebelumnya. Indeed, implementation has been perfect Amaliyat Istisyhadiyah with the grace of God and His karomah after a serious survey and reconnaissance of the depth of the unbelievers before.

Dan sungguh benar firman Allah : Indeed correct and the word of God:

"Maka (yang sebenarnya) bukan kamu yang membunuh mereka, akan tetapi Allahlah yang membunuh mereka, dan bukan kamu yang melempar ketika kamu melempar, tetapi Allah-lah yang melempar. (Allah berbuat demikian untuk membinasakan mereka) dan untuk memberi kemenangan kepada orang-orang mukmin, dengan kemenangan yang baik. Sesungguhnya Allah Maha mendengar lagi Maha mengetahui". (QS. Al Anfal : 17). "But (the fact) that you not kill them, but Allahlah that killed them, and not throw you that when you throw, but Allah is the throw. (God do so to destroy them) and to give victory to the people - believers, with the victory of good. Allah is Forgiving hear to know. "(QS. Al-Anfal: 17).

Ini juga sesuai dengan firman Allah Ta'ala : This is also in accordance with Allah Ta'ala says:

"Perangilah mereka, niscaya Allah akan menghancurkan mereka dengan (perantaraan) tangan-tanganmu dan Allah akan menghinakan mereka dan menolong kamu terhadap mereka, serta melegakan hati orang-orang yang beriman". (QS. Attaubah : 14). "Fight them, Allah will destroy them with the (medium) hand-hand, and God will humiliate them and help you against them, and relieve the hearts of the believers." (QS. Attaubah: 14).

Agar ummat ini mengetahui bahwasanya Amerika, khususnya orang-orang yang yang berkumpul dalam majlis itu, mereka adalah para Pentolan Bisnisman dan Inteljen di dalam bagian ekonomi Amerika. To be human is to know that the United States, especially those who gathered in the Majlis, they are Pentolan Bisnisman and Inteljen in the United States economy. Dan mereka mempunyai kepentingan yang besar dalam mengeruk harta negeri Indonesia dan pembiyaan tentara kafir (Amerika) yang memerangi Islam dan kaum muslimin. And they have a great interest in the property plow the land and the army pembiyaan heathen (United States) who fight against Islam and Muslims. Dan kami akan menyampaikan kabar gembira kepada kalian wahai ummat Islam, bi idznillahi Ta'ala dengan mengeluarkan cuplikan-cuplikan film dari Amaliyat Istisyhadiyah ini insya Allah. And we will deliver the glad tidings to you O people of Islam, bi idznillahi Ta'ala with snippets-issued trailers for films of this Amaliyat Istisyhadiyah Allah.

Dan kami beri nama Amaliyat Istisyhadiyah ini dengan : "SARIYAH DR. AZHARI". And we give the name Amaliyat Istisyhadiyah with this: "SARIYAH DR. Azhari."

Kami ber-Husnu Dhon kepada Allah bahwa Allah akan menolong kami dan menolong kaum muslimin dalam waktu dekat ini. We pro-Husnu Dhon to God that God will help us and help Muslims in the near future.

الله أكبر ولله العزة ولرسوله والمؤمنون الله أكبر ولله العزة ولرسوله والمؤمنون


Amir Tandzim Al Qo'idah Indonesia Tandzim Amir Al Qo'idah Indonesia

Abu Muawwidz Nur Din bin Muhammad Top Abu Nur Muawwidz Din bin Muhammad Top

Hafidzohullah Hafidzohullah

KETERANGAN RESMI DARI TANDZIM AL QO'IDAH INDONESIA DETAIL OF OFFICIAL TANDZIM AL QO'IDAH INDONESIA

ATAS AMALIYAT JIHADIYAH ISTISYHADIYAH FOR THE AMALIYAT JIHADIYAH ISTISYHADIYAH

DI HOTEL RIZT CALRTON JAKARTA RIZT CALRTON HOTEL IN JAKARTA

اَلْحَمْدُ ِللهِ مُعِزِّ اْلإِسْلاَمِ بِنَصْرِه، وَمُذِلِّ الشِّرْكِ بِقَهْرِه، وَمُصَرِّف اْلأُمُور بِأَمْرِه، وَمُسْتَدْرِجِ اْلكَافِرِيْنَ بِمَكْرِه، اَلَّذِي قَدّرَ اْلأَيَّامَ دُولاً بِعَدْلِه، وَالصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلاَمُ عَلَى مَنْ أَعْلَى اللهَُ مَنَارَ اْلإِسْلاَمِ بِسَيْفِه. الحمد لله معز الإسلام بنصره, ومذل الشرك بقهره, ومصرف الأمور بأمره, ومستدرج الكافرين بمكره, الذي قدر الأيام دولا بعدله, والصلاة والسلام على من أعلى الله منار الإسلام بسيفه.

أمَّا بعد أما بعد

Ini adalah keterangan resmi dari Tandzim Al Qo'idah Indonesia untuk ummat Islam dengan Amaliyat Jihadiyah Istisyhadiyah di Hotel Rizt Calrton Jakarta, pada hari Jum'at pagi, tanggal 17 juli 2009 M./24 Rojab 1430 H. This is the official description of Tandzim Al Qo'idah Indonesia to Islam with the human Amaliyat Jihadiyah Istisyhadiyah Hotel in Rizt Calrton Jakarta, on Friday morning, on 17 July 2009 M./24 Rojab 1430 H. yang dilakukan oleh salah satu ikhwah mujahidin terhadap antek-antek Amerika yang berkunjung di Hotel tersebut. conducted by one of ikhwah mujahidin against lacquey-American stooge who came in the hotel.

Sesungguhnya Allah menganugerahkan kepada kami jalan untuk menyerang Hotel termegah yang dimiliki oleh Amerika di Ibukota Indonesia di Jakarta, yaitu Rizt Calrton. Indeed, God present to us the way to attack termegah Hotel owned by United States in the capital city of Indonesia in Jakarta, namely Rizt Calrton. Yang mana penjagaan dan pengamanan di sana sungguh sangatlah ketat untuk dapat melakukan serangan seperti yang kami lakukan pada kali ini. Which is a security guard and there really is very tight to be able to attack like we do at this time.

"Mereka membuat Makar dan Allah pun membuat Makar. Dan Allah itu Maha Pembuat Makar". (QS. Ali Imron : 54). "They make God and the trick is to make trick. And God is Almighty Creator trick". (QS. Ali Imron: 54).

Adapun sasaran yang kami inginkan dari amaliyat ini adalah : The goals that we want from amaliyat this is:

1. 1. Sebagai Qishoh (pembalasan yang setimpal) atas perbuatan yang dilakukan oleh Amerika dan antek-anteknya terhadap saudara kami kaum muslimin dan mujahidin di penjuru dunia As Qishoh (a retaliation in kind) for the deeds done by the United States and minion-anteknya against our brother Muslims and mujahidin in the world

2. 2. Menghancurkan kekuatan mereka di negeri ini, yang mana mereka adalan pencuri dan perampok barang-barang berharga kaum muslimin di negeri ini Destroy their power in this country, which they adalan thief and plunderer valuables Muslims in this country

3. 3. Mengeluarkan mereka dari negeri-negeri kaum muslimin. Remove them from the lands of Muslims. Terutama dari negeri Indonesia Particularly from Indonesia

4. 4. Menjadi pelajaran buat ummat Islam akan hakikat Wala' (Loyalitas) dan Baro' (Permusuhan), terkhusus menghadapi datangnya Klub Bola MANCESTER UNITED (MU) ke Hotel tersebut. A lesson for humanity Islam akan fact Wala '(Loyalty), and Baro' (hostility), the arrival terkhusus Club Bola MANCESTER UNITED (MU) to the hotel. Para pemain itu terdiri dari para salibis. The players that consists of salibis. Maka tidak pantas ummat ini memberikan Wala'nya dan penghormatannya kepada musuh-musuh Allah ini But this is not worth the human and penghormatannya give Wala'nya to the enemies of God

5. 5. Amaliyat Istisyhadiyah ini sebagai penyejuk dan obat hati buat kaum muslimin yang terdholimi dan tersiksa di seluruh penjuru dunia Amaliyat Istisyhadiyah this as a High and a heart medicine that terdholimi Muslims and tortured all over the world

Yang terakhir ….. The last one ... .. bahwasanya Amaliyat Jihadiyah ini akan menjadi pendorong semangat untuk ummat ini dan untuk menghidupkan kewajiban Jihad yang menjadi satu-satunya jalan untuk menegakkan Khilafah Rosyidah yang telah lalu, bi idznillah. Amaliyat Jihadiyah that this will be the stimulus for the human spirit and to the obligation of Jihad the only way to establish Khilafah Rosyidah past, bi idznillah.

Dan kami beri nama Amaliyat Jihadiyah ini dengan : "SARIYAH JABIR" And we give the name Amaliyat Jihadiyah with this: "SARIYAH JABIR"

الله أكبر ولله العزة ولرسوله والمؤمنون الله أكبر ولله العزة ولرسوله والمؤمنون


Amir Tandzim Al Qo'idah Indonesia Tandzim Amir Al Qo'idah Indonesia

Abu Mu'awwidz Nur Din bin Muhammad Top Abu Nur Mu'awwidz Din bin Muhammad Top

Hafidzohullah Hafidzohullah

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Noordin Top Blogspot

Note: You can also go to the comments and do a Google Translation.

*********************************************

Patung at Indonesia Matters provides a cleaner translation:

Noordin M Top discovers blogspot and complains of American plunderers and soccer Crusaders.

The newly created blog website mediaislam-bushro.blogspot.com on July 26th published a message apparently from Malaysian terrorist Noordin M Top claiming responsibility for the JW Marriott & Ritz Carlton suicide bombings in Jakarta on July 17th.

Speaking as the head of his Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) split off organisation “Tandzim Al Qo’idah Indonesia” Noordin, or as written on the blog, Nur Din bin Muhammad Top, said that the bombings were targeted at kafir – non-Muslims – and specifically American businessmen, and he explained why they were carried out:

1. to avenge the attacks on Muslims around the world by America and its allies

2. to destroy the power of American business in Indonesia, to prevent Americans stealing the resources of Indonesia and using the wealth gained to wage war on Muslims

3. to expel Americans from Indonesia

4. to prevent Indonesian Muslims from going to watch Manchester United football club in Jakarta, because some of the MU players are crusaders [Christian]

5. to give strength to persecuted Muslims around the world

The attacks were justified by the quotation of the following verse from Sura 8: Al-Anfal of the Quran:

So you did not slay them, but in fact Allah slew them; and O dear Prophet (Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) you did not throw (the sand) when you did throw, but in fact Allah threw; and in order to bestow an excellent reward upon the Muslims; indeed Allah is the All Hearing, the All Knowing. [Yusuf Ali]

And from Attaubah: 14:

Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers.

Finally Nurdin hoped that the attack would encourage other Indonesian Muslims to take up the cause of jihad. [1]

Malaysian Muslim Women to be Flogged for Beer

Malaysia has become more and more Islamic fundamentalist over the years, as various states vote to incorporate Islamic Sharia law into their legislation. That means issues of morality and values are judged not by a nondenominational regional judgeship, but by the Islamic board which follows Islamic law. Woe be to those who break the law, such as having a beer. You will be flogged.

An Islamic court in Malaysia has sentenced a Muslim woman to be flogged with a rattan cane for having a beer in a nightclub, a court official said Tuesday. It is rare for a woman in Malaysia to be sentenced to caning — a punishment usually reserved for men in various crimes ranging from rape to bribery.

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno was sentenced Monday to six lashes and a fine of 5,000 ringgit ($1,400) for consuming alcohol, said a Shariah High Court official who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to make public statements.

Shukarno, a 32-year-old model, pleaded guilty in the court in eastern Pahang state to a charge of drinking beer when Islamic authorities raided a hotel nightclub in August 2008.

Consuming alcohol is a religious offense in Malaysia only for Muslims, who make up nearly two-thirds of the population. Offenders are prosecuted in Shariah courts, which handle cases mainly related to family and moral issues for Muslims. Most offenders are fined, but the law also provides for a three-year prison term and caning. Shukarno was the only Muslim caught in the raid at the Pahang nightclub.

Malaysian clubs and lounges typically serve alcohol but are not legally required to check if customers are Muslim before serving them, so the hotel nightclub operators were not charged with any offense. Shukarno plans to appeal the sentence, the New Straits Times daily reported. The punishment "is aimed at making the accused repent and serves as a lesson to Muslims," the newspaper quoted Judge Abdul Rahman Yunus as saying.

The judge did not elaborate on why he imposed a relatively severe sentence, but local media noted that he had a history of being tough on alcohol offenders. Rattan canes used in the punishment are made from palm plants common in tropical parts of Asia. They have been used for decades for corporal punishments in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. The caning sentence is generally carried out by specially trained officials at prisons.

Indonesia Hearts and Minds

Part One begins with a look back at the Bali bombings, then an interview with Bashir and revealing look at his radical school near Solo, finally a short interview with Sydney Jones.



Part Two starts with coverage of a charismatic young Muslim preacher named Jeffries (?) who is interviewed in a taxi, then a modern, liberal Muslim wedding, followed by an interview with Nassir Abbas, a former fighter from Afghanistan who now works for the government to reform JI members, then a visit to a bookstore filled with radical literature, and finally, a meal with Ali, a committed JI member.



Part Three starts with a look at Suharto and the riots of 1997, Sidney Jones again, music from the modern pop Islamic band Gigi, a visit to a drug addiction treatment center based on Islam and herbal concoctions, and a look at one of Indonesia's most powerful Islamic groups, NU, martial arts included.



Part Four concludes with a East Java village, home to two of the Bali bombers (Muklas and Amrozi), a look at their gravesites and short clips of their funerals, Bugis religious rituals which combine Islam and animism (Bissu), plus transvestite priests, and a positive end that concludes the Indonesian Islam is tolerant and the radical will not rise.