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Islamic Extremists Attack Cafes
Wed Jun 26, 7:39 AM ET
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - About 150
Islamic extremists armed with sticks and swords rampaged down a
street popular with foreign tourists in Jakarta Wednesday, forcing
their way into cafes and smashing beer bottles, police and
witnesses said.
No one was injured in the midday raid
on the street, Jalan Jaksa, by members of the Islamic Defenders
Front. Police were present during the attack but made no arrests,
said Lt. Wagimin, who goes by a single name.
The Front has staged similar
attacks on discotheques and bars they consider un-Islamic. It also
opposes the selling of alcoholic beverages, which are prohibited
by Islamic law, and has spearheaded sometime violent protests
against the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan ( news
- web
sites).
Jalan Jaksa is about half a mile
from the presidential palace. It is lined with cafes and cheap
hotels that cater mostly to foreign backpackers.
The attackers smashed beer bottles
they had taken from the shelves of at least five establishments on
the street. They also damaged signs advertising alcoholic
products, witnesses said.
Indonesia is the world's most
populous Muslim nation. Most of its 210 million people practice a
tolerant form of the faith, however.
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