Three Incidents Of Attacking Religious Leaders, Muslims Are Asked To Calm And Not Provoked

Illustration: psyssa

JAKARTA – Cases of attacks on religious leaders recently occurred in a series. Although it is not yet known whether there is a motive behind it, some figures are worried that a series of events involving religious figures will turn into a silent terror.

As we know, residents of Jalan Ndan Saba, Kunciran Village, Pinang, Tangerang City were excited about the shooting incident on Saturday, September 18, at around 18:30 WIB. Residents panicked to find Ustaz Alex lying in front of the house with his stomach covered in blood.

Based on the testimony of witnesses at the scene, Ustaz Alex, whose real name is Arman, was the victim of a shooting by an unknown person (OTK). Ustaz Alex died on the way to the hospital due to blood loss.

It was later discovered that Ustaz Alex was known to be kind and friendly to local residents. The victim is also known as the chairman of the taklim assembly at the mosque around his house.

According to Saipul Basri, the head of the local RT, there were two perpetrators using one motorbike. Basri added that two days before the incident, he saw two unknown people wearing motorcycle taxi jackets online sitting in a shop. Basri accused the two suspects of being the perpetrators who for the past two days monitored the situation and read the activities of the victims.

This case is being handled by the Tangerang City Police Headquarters and the Metro Jaya Police.

The scene of the shooting of Ustadz Alex on Jalan Ndan Saba, Kunciran Village, Pinang, Tangerang City/Photo: IST

The second incident involving religious leaders was in the Bekasi area, West Java. Ustaz Jamal, reportedly received an attack from an unknown person (OTK) on his way from Bogor to Bekasi, precisely on Jalan Raya Mustikasari, Mustikajaya, Bekasi City, Wednesday, September 22.

The Head of the Public Relations Section of the Bekasi City Metro Police, Kompol Erna, confirmed the incident. According to him, from the identification of the victim, it was known that his name was Jamaludin. The victim in everyday life is known as Ustad Jamal.

"Yes (ustaz) on behalf of Pak Jamil, yes. Yesterday's incident was Tuesday at 10 pm," Erna said when contacted by VOI, Wednesday, September 22.

Erna said, at the scene of the incident, the victim was suddenly grabbed by an unknown person (OTK) who rode together in a motorized vehicle. The victim who was riding a motorcycle with the number B 4166 FEW was attacked by a heavily armed perpetrator.

The victim who resisted finally got a sharp weapon slashed at his waist. The victim who was helpless fell down on the road, while the motorbike that the victim was carrying was carried by the perpetrator.

Bekasi Metro Police are still investigating the case.

Screen capture video of the attack on Ustadz Abus Syahid Shaniago in Batam

The third incident involving a cleric was the attack on a cleric named Abus Syahid Chaniago. The victim was attacked by an unknown person while giving a lecture at Baitusyakur Mosque, Batuampar, Batam, Riau Islands (Kepri), Monday, September 20.

The video that recorded the seconds of the attack on Ustadz Chaniago was then widely circulated on social media. Dozens of worshipers who were at the location immediately screamed hysterically watching the incident.

In the video being shared, a man suddenly appears and runs towards Ustadz Chaniago from the right as if trying to attack. Luckily, the ustaz managed to avoid the perpetrators. The congregation at the scene was immediately hysterical to witness this.

Witnessing the incident, dozens of worshipers who were at the location immediately chased and arrested the attackers. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries from the attack.

However, based on the information in the video, the perpetrator is said to have hit Ustaz Abu Syahid Chaniago's left cheek. The case is being handled by the local police.

Furthermore, the National Police Headquarters ensured that police ranks throughout Indonesia would investigate any cases of attacks on religious teachers or preachers that have been occurring frequently in recent times.

"We are investigating every incident that occurred," said the Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Inspector General Argo Yuwono when confirmed, Thursday, September 23.

In this case, Argo also responded to a number of pressures from community organizations (ormas) or religious groups to investigate the motives of each of the perpetrators of the attack.

Previously, Muhammadiyah had requested that the intellectual actors behind the rampant attacks on religious leaders be dismantled.

"Hopefully there will be no (intellectual actors). (Police) will continue to carry out their duties according to procedures," said Argo.

Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the Muhammadiyah Central Executive, Abdul Mu'ti, previously requested that the investigation into the ustaz attack case be completed as soon as possible until the mastermind of the crime.

He is worried that if the case is allowed to drag on, it will develop into speculation and provocation that disturbs the community. Therefore, Mu'ti asked the Muslims to remain calm and not be provoked.

"Personally and on behalf of PP Muhammadiyah, I express deep condolences to the ustadz who are victims. Both those who died and are being treated," said Mu'ti.