(ZENIT News / Java, 11.08.2024).- Indonesian Authorities avoided a possible attack against two Catholic churches in the city of Malang, in Eastern Java, thanks to an anti-terrorist operation, which neutralized a young Islamic extremist who was planning to immolate himself in these places of worship. The incident, which occurred in a context of growing tension, has generated concern about security in Indonesia, especially given Pope Francis’ imminent visit to Southeast Asia and Oceania, planned for September.
The General of the brigade in charge of the operation confirmed that the churches in Malang were targets, although he avoided giving specific details about the chronology of the intervention. According to the police, there is no evidence that links this attack directly with the forthcoming papal visit, although the temporal proximity has fuelled the fear of possible acts of religious violence in the country.
One of the detained, identified as Hok, a secondary school student, admitted he had been radicalized for months by the Daulah Islamiyah extremist group. Under its influence, Hok used his family’s money to acquire the necessary explosives to carry out the attack. During the raid, the Security Forces confiscated dangerous materials, including chemical ones such as Tatp, known as “Satan’s Mother,” and iron balls to maximize the damage of an explosion.
Indonesia, the nation with the world’s largest Muslim population, has been the scene of repeated attacks against churches and other religious minorities, such as the Ahmadiyya Muslims. Although the Government has attempted to combat radicalism, Islamic fundamentalism has gained ground in several regions of the country. This phenomenon has not only fomented violent attacks, but has also fuelled intolerance, evidenced in restrictive norms, such as those that hinder the construction and maintenance of Christian places of worship.
One of the most notorious cases is that of the church of Yasmin, in Western Java, which was closed due to the pressure exerted by radical groups, using administrative pretexts such as the lack of construction permits. This type of actions reinforces the perception that radicalization not only threatens physical security, but also religious rights and the freedom of worship in Indonesia.
The frustrated attack in Malang highlights the security challenges that Indonesia faces on the eve of Pope Francis’ visit. Although the Authorities deny a direct connexon with the Pontiff’s trip, the tension in the country and the possibility of new attempts of religious violence cannot be ignored. The papal visit, whose objective is to strengthen interreligious ties and promote peace, will now take place under the shadow of these incidents, testing the country’s capacity to guarantee security and protect its religious minorities in an increasingly hostile atmosphere.
