It seems as though the Islamic Defender’s Front is afraid of something, but where the fear stems from is not clear . Sad to think that in the midst of an humanitarian effort such as this, differences in religious viewpoints cannot be put to one side.
One would hope that drinking of alcohol by Australian personel would be kept to a minimum and restricted to “on base” areas. On the other hand of course, I hope that the Australian Army’s “Prostitute Corps” is not accompanying the ground troops in this instance.
When all is said and done though, “Paranoia is only a state of awareness”.
NEWS.com.au | Downer: We won’t arm Diggers (January 11, 2005)
Habib Rizieq Shihab, head of the Islamic Defender’s Front (FPI), said yesterday Australian assistance in Aceh could herald the start of an East Timor-style intervention designed to secure independence for the troubled northern province.
“Please Australia, move your feet from Indonesia as soon as your humanitarian work is done,” he said. “They should not corrupt Islamic sharia law in force in Aceh, because we know that these foreign soldiers like to bring prostitutes with them. Also, these soldiers drink alcohol and in Aceh it is strictly forbidden.”