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Anti-Semitism in Indonesia: A Simplification of a Multi-Faced Islam
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Anti-Semitism in Indonesia: A Simplification of a Multi-Faced Islam

Mohamad Nur Kholis Setiawan A. Introduction Fritz Schulze published an article in Orientierung Journal (2007) about anti-Semitism in Indonesia entitled Antisemitismus in Indonesien- Die Idee der jüdischen Weltverschwörung im indonesischen politischen und religiösen Diskurs. The article is aimed at showing that anti-Semitism paradoxically exists in the most populous Muslim country with hardly any Jewish inhabitants. (Schulze, 2007). The way Schulze explores sources and publications on the subject is quite appropriate. By looking at the publications, ranging from statements in mass-media, articles and books, it seems that the reality of what Schulze concluded in his article cannot be denied. Moreover, the existence of anti-Semitism, according to Schulze, is not only disseminated by small groups, on the contrary, it is propagated by several organizations in whose campaign several Indonesian Muslim intellectuals have taken part.  (Schulze 2007). By reading the article of Schulze, in short, one may have the impression that Indonesia with its Muslim majority population is in a continuous discourse on anti-Semitism. At the same time, it creates the image that Indonesian Islam cannot be separated from widespread anti-Semitism in the Middle East which leads to an image that there is only one model of Islam in Indonesia.

The Political Alliance of Badawi-Najib in Serious Trouble?
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The Political Alliance of Badawi-Najib in Serious Trouble?

By Hendrajit Beneath the surface, the grand strategic alliance between the incumbent Malaysian Prime Minister Ahmad Abdullah Badawi and Deputy Prime Minister Mohd Najib Tun Razak is not as solid as the people imagine. Since 2006 up to 2007, at least there are two scandals come to the surface commanding the public attention and potentially damaging the future coalition of Badawi-Najib, the former allies of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in removing Anwar Ibrahim from the Malaysian political scene. Since 2006, the reports have it that Najib Tun Razak allegedly got involved on the murder case of the 28 year-old Mongolian freelance model Altantuya Sharribuu and his possible involvement in the corroption practices related to the submarine deal.

Tables Turned
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Tables Turned

By  Courtney C. Radsch Four years after the fall of Baghdad on April 9, 2003, a majority of Americans are opposed to the US presence in Iraq, even if this was not the case until 2005. Courtney C. Radsch in Washington, D.C. analyzes the American public opinion on Iraq over the past four years. Following the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington D.C. — considered to be the worst attack on American soil since Pearl Harborthe — American public was fearful of terrorism and eager to regain a sense of security.

Islamophobia: A Call to Confronting a Creeping Disease
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Islamophobia: A Call to Confronting a Creeping Disease

Dr. Louay M. Safi The last time a world religion was considered a problem and a question was in late-nineteenth-century Europe. Then, the ‘Jewish Question’ was widely debated by both the enlightened and bigots among European thinkers, says Louay Safi. president Bush reacting to the unearthing of the alleged bombing plot over the Atlantic August 10 remarked: "This nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom, to hurt our nation."

British Muslims: Media Islamophobic and Racist
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British Muslims: Media Islamophobic and Racist

Halima Columbo A recent study by the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), "British Media and Muslim Representation: The Ideology of Demonisation," has found that British Muslims overwhelmingly perceive the Media as Islamophobic and racist. This is of particular concern as the media is the main source of information about Muslims for people who do not meet Muslims in their daily lives. Misinformation and negative stereotypes heighten tensions in intercultural relations and legitimize war against Muslims. The media needs to take account of Muslim views, monitor output to see how Muslims are represented, and improve accountability. The government must ensure that Muslims are protected from hate speech. The report opened with a review of literature that explores the power of the Media to shape discourse and influence public perceptions. Thereafter, it is divided into two parts. The first analyzes the representation of Muslims on television, in the cinema, and in popular literature. These were chosen because they are seen as the main source of information about Muslims. Part two presents the findings of the study into British Muslim's perceptions of the media and presents the recommendations.

The Silent Support of US in Thai Military Coup?
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The Silent Support of US in Thai Military Coup?

Hendrajit The success of military coup in Thailand is still shrouded with mystery, whether it is because of the blessing given by the King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the growing support silently given by the Thai Society in general over the corruption  and factionalism among the party politicians in the parliament. The other theory says that the military coup would not be impossible to succeed without the political backing of the United States. Did you still remember the failed coup attempt launched by General Suchinda Kraprayon in 1991? The military coup was successfully blocked by the strong resistance of professional middle classes and businesspeople because of the active support from the policy makers in Washington.

Don't let rural Java down
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Don't let rural Java down

Wilmar Salim The latest reports from the World Bank office in Jakarta on poverty in Indonesia reveal unsurprising figures: 49 percent of the people live on an income of less than US$2 a day, while in 1996 this number was 50.4 percent. However, in terms of absolute numbers, it increased from 99 million in 1996 to 107 million this year. If we look at the number of poor people according to a report issued by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in September, 39.05 million are defined as poor, and 63.41 percent of these live in rural areas. Unsurprisingly also, as our population is concentrated in Java, about 57 percent of the poor (22.26 million) live on this island, which is not much different from 2000, when 21.6 million people in Java were defined as poor. Moreover, 12.5 million (57.9 percent) of the poor in Java live in rural areas. In other words, the poor are concentrated in rural areas, and 32 out of 100 poor Indonesians lived in rural Java in 2000. Though the current figures are unknown, we can guess that they are similar.

CIA Ways of Removing Leaders Distasteful to US Strategic Agenda
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CIA Ways of Removing Leaders Distasteful to US Strategic Agenda

By Hendrajit Democracy and secrecy sometimes are not compatible in United States (US), especially in conducting its foreign policy. In treating the countries potentially regarded as unfriendly or hostile to its strategic interests, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as the intelligence organ of American establishment in Washington, was quite often reported to conduct the covert foreign policy such as overthrowing the national leaders considered as uncooperative to the US strategic agenda in the developing countries.

The US Global Politics in Outer Space
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The US Global Politics in Outer Space

By Hendrajit* The National Space Policy is suspected by the developing countries as the US agenda for becoming herself as the “space cop in outer space.” At the same time giving us a clear picture that US are a nation scared og its own shadow. The policy makers of national security in Washington seem quite ambitious in its plan of controlling its access to outer space. On 6 October 2006 President George W. Bush released the National Space Policy (NSP). Through this released new space policy, it is clear indication that the US security authorities are seeking to become a new “space cop” in outer space.

Peace Noble for Aceh
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Peace Noble for Aceh

By: Manuel Kaisepo* We should be grateful and proud over the acknowledgment and praise on account of the Indonesia’s government through the Vice President Yusuf Kalla. We should be also proud that the name of President Yudhoyono is nominated as one of candidates winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Of course, it would be more completely and fair if key figures of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to get the same acknowledgment and appreciation. Why? Because without their involvements in the agreements, it’s impossible to create peace in Aceh. Yet, the expression of pride over the establishment of peace in Aceh would have deep meaning if the event was not solely understood as if it happened in such a way, happened by itself, and was separated from a series of other past events and the very devastating natural disaster like tsunami on last Desember 2004.