Hardliners clash with religious moderates in Indonesia

Supporters of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organisation clashed with Muslim hard-liners following a bloody attack on interfaith activists by the radicals.

One person was injured in the brawl late yesterday between members of Nahdhatul Ulama and hard-liners from the Islamic Defenders Front in Jogyakarta on Java island. Angry crowds have gathered outside offices and homes of the FPI in two other towns on Java in recent days.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Suharsono said today he had received reports that other FPI members were travelling to the town.

The brawl followed an attack by alleged FPI members Sunday on a religious tolerance rally in the capital Jakarta. At least 12 people were injured.