by Mathias Hariyadi

An extremist group attacks a cemetery overnight. The traditional and widespread practice of the cult of the dead, unites Muslims, Christians and believers of other religions. The governor describes the attack as "madness" perpetrated by those who feed "hate." Moderate Muslims speak of "serious threat ."

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Bewilderment and concern are widespread among the population of Yogyakarta , in central Java , following a series of acts of vandalism that have targeted citizens intent on paying homage to deceased relatives and family members . The attacks took place last night in a city cemetery, perpetrated by a group of unidentified people linked to local extremist movements . Civil society condemns this "barbaric" act , which threatens to disrupt the harmony and co-existence in the area. The practice of paying tribute to the dead is one of the oldest and best-established in the provinces of Central and East Java , it unites Muslims (especially during Ramadan) , Catholics, Protestants, members of other faiths according to a common rite . For this reason there have been calls from several fronts to the police to find and punish those responsible though - so far - the investigations have not yielded any positive development.

Last night a group of thugs targeted some people trying to pray at the tomb of Kiai Ageng Prawiro Poebo in Semaki , Yogyakarta . He was the grandson of the Sultan of Yogyakarta Hamengku Bowono VI , head of the Islamic Mataram kingdom in central Java between 1855 and 1877 . The current king of Mataram is Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X , who is also governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

The attackers targeted the practice whereby a tribute is made to the deceased, branding these "secular traditions" as "heretical " and therefore contrary to a pure and strict vision of Islam. The extremist group has targeted tombs and other sacred objects belonging to the Mataram descendants. The investigators are making inquiries, but refuse to give details of the possible identity and the motive behind the attack .

The Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X condemns the act of vandalism dismissing it as a "madness" perpetrated by people who foment "the spirit of hatred ." " I find it hard to understand the reasons of those who pick on the dead - he adds - and even if there was something ' illicit' , what sense is there in taking it out on the dead ? " . Even the Islamic youth movement Pemuda Ansor Youth Movement , which is affiliated to the moderate Muslim Nahdlatul Ulama (NU ) movement, speaks of " serious threat " to the country and a possible open confrontation between moderates and extremists within Islam .

Moreover episodes of tension and violence within Islam in the most populous Muslim country in the world are not new nor sporadic. In the last three weeks, the sub-district of Puger in Jember regency, in the province of East Java saw tensions between two different groups , also causing the one death. Even today, hundreds of policemen and army soldiers are in a condition of high alert to prevent an escalation of violence despite recent efforts to reach a truce.

 

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