Indonesia: Mob attacks temples after
mosque complaint
30.07.2016 Ainur Rohmah Anadolu
Agency
2 monasteries and 8 temples damaged in northern Sumatra after
Chinese woman complains about mosque noise
TUBAN,
Indonesia
Police are
urging people in a north Sumatran town to remain calm after a night
of religious unrest was sparked by a complaint to a mosque about
the volume of its speakers.
The
incident saw two monasteries and eight temples damaged in downtown
Tanjung Balai, but no injuries were reported.
Local
Police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Ayep Wahyu Gunawan said Saturday
that the seven remained in custody, after a mob took to the streets
following a complaint from a 41-year-old Chinese woman -- known
only as "M" -- at a mosque near his house about the volume of the
azan (call to prayer).
"Seven
people were arrested for looting. They are still being questioned,"
Gunawan was quoted as saying by detik.com.
"There was
a mass anarchist action. There are several buildings of monasteries
and temples burned."
He said
that police were coordinating with religious and community leaders
to address the unrest and urged the public to remain
calm.
The woman
is reported to have returned home shortly after visiting the
mosque, only to be joined by the mosque caretaker who travelled to
her home to discuss the protest.
With a
crowd building and the atmosphere becoming heated, M and her
husband were given shelter at a local police station.
After word
spread on social media, several groups assembled in front of M's
house and tried to burn it down.
Police
personnel are reported to have then stopped them setting fire to a
local temple, only for the mob to attack the building with bricks
and stones.
Other
Buddhist buildings were then also attacked.
Police have
said they will hold a meeting to discuss the unrest with local
government, religious leaders, community leaders, ethnic leaders,
and the local Ulema Council.
Indonesia
is the world's most populous Muslim nation, but it also has a
sizeable Buddhist minority -- many of whom are Chinese.