Perhaps this belongs in the "beer" thread:

Saturday, October 23, 2004 (Jakarta):


Muslim militants in Indonesia's capital vandalized a café popular with expatriates because it was serving beer during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, police and one of the militants said today.

The Star Deli was closed when around 300 members of the Islamic Defenders Front arrived just before midnight Friday.

They smashed its windows, chairs and neon signs advertising beer, said Mary Gregory, the cafe's owner.

Alawi Usman, a spokesman for the group, admitted vandalizing the establishment.

"We are against immorality," he said. "We are doing this for the future of the country's youth."

No one was injured in the attack, which police did nothing to stop, Usman said. Police confirmed the raid occurred, but declined say why they did not try to prevent it.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, but its government is secular. It has significant Christian, Buddhist and Hindu populations.

Islamic militancy has risen in recent years and Al-Qaida-linked terrorists have carried out three bloody attacks, including the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings.

The Islamic Defenders Front was formed in 2000. It has a history of vandalizing entertainment centres during Ramadan. Many analysts say that extorting money from frightened bar owners is its primary motive. (AP)



Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.