As widely reported in the media on Sunday morning May 13, bomb attacks occurred at three churches in Surabaya, namely Santa Maria Roman Catholic Church on Jalan Ngagel Madya Utara, Indonesian Christian Church on Jalan Diponegoro 146 and Surabaya Central Pentecostal Church (GPPS) on Jalan Arjuna. The blasts killed 9 people and injured more than 40 people, while the suspected suicide bomber was killed.

Whoever the perpetrators and whatever the motivation is, the attacks must be rejected. This cruel act contradicts all teachings of Islam. Obviously, the Islamic Sharia strictly prohibits disrupting and destroying other religious places of worship, let alone injure and kill people there. Islam forbids killing anyone for no justified reasons, especially if the act leads to someone’s death.

In this regard, Hizb ut Tahrir Indonesia would like to make the following points:

1. Strongly condemn the suicide bomber as a vile act against the teachings of Islam.
2. Call upon the authorities to immediately and thoroughly investigate the perpetrator and what is motivation, including who is the mastermind behind the horrible acts. Only in that way, the speculation related to the bombings could be terminated immediately.
3. Refuse to associate the attacks with the concern to immediately ratify the Terrorism Bill. The reason is that there are several articles in the bill with potential to cause harm to the people, especially the Muslims, as had happened in the past. Also to refuse to associate the bombings with the existing organization or group of da’wah. Do not let this attack serve as a tool for the repression or new tyranny.
4. Call upon the Muslims to remain steadfast, patient and have Istiqamah in the struggle to uphold the sharia and the Khilafah in the right path on the method as exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad (saw). Do not be afraid of any challenges, obstacles and threats until the noble ideals are truly achieved.

Hasbunallah wa ni’mal wakiil, ni’mal maula wa ni’man nashiir.

Muhammad Ismail Yusanto

Official Spokesman of Hizb ut Tahrir in Indonesia