Jemaah Islamiah spiritual leader Abu Bakar Bashir claimed yesterday that Australian officials were behind a ban on him delivering a jail cell tirade accusing the US, Christians and Jews of trying to destroy Islam. Bashir, convicted in September of treason and falsifying documents, planned to tell his fellow inmates in Jakarta’s Salemba prison that they should fight against the machinations of Zionist Jews, extremist Christians and the Bush Government. Instead, he sat passively as a fellow cleric implored a few hundred prisoners to be good Muslims during the Islamic feast of Idul Fitri, which began yesterday with early morning prayers.
The speech, which jail authorities apparently had earlier given permission for him to deliver, was printed in booklet form and distributed to prisoners and journalists. The sharp-tongued Bashir, despite first saying he was "not allowed to speak", later told reporters that Australia was responsible for the cancellation by Indonesian authorities. A spokesman for the Australian embassy in Jakarta, Kirk Coningham, denied it had anything to do with the cancellation. "It’s bizarre and ludicrous to suggest that we would have any interest in cancelling his speech or the capacity to do so," Mr Coningham said.
| That's Australian for "Wudn't us." |
Bashir’s sermon said "the satanic group which is undermining Islam and trying to destroy it, on this day is led by the US Government which is exploited by the Zionist Jews. The US Government and its lackeys have become the lackeys of Zionist Jews and extreme Christians. They have resurrected their desire for war against Muslims, they have already beaten the drums of war against Islam and its followers; the cursed ones’ crusade has flared again." Bashir cited the "invasion and war" in Afghanistan, and the installation of a "puppet government to crush Islam in Afghanistan", as evidence of the global oppression of Muslims. He also condemned the US invasion of Iraq and American assistance for Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.
Bali bombing mastermind Imam Samudra made a rare public appearance yesterday to mark the holy day, joining fellow bomber Amrozi in the mosque at Bali’s Kerobokan prison, where the pair are waiting to appeal their death sentences. Witnesses said the two were greeted like celebrities by their fellow prisoners. The pair, smiling broadly, sent their regards to their fellow Muslims before being escorted back to their cells. |