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Buddhist temple bomber disrespects sanctity of Ramadhan: Minister
Blast aftermath: Police officers guard Ekayana Buddist Vihara in West Jakarta on Monday
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Blast aftermath: Police officers guard Ekayana Buddist Vihara in West Jakarta on Monday. The temple was bombed on Sunday evening, injuring at least three people and damaging parts of the compound. The temple was established in 1995 to accommodate Buddhist students studying at nearby universities. (JP/Jerry Adiguna) (JP/Jerry Adiguna)
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span class="inline inline-center">Blast aftermath: Police officers guard Ekayana Buddist Vihara in West Jakarta on Monday. The temple was bombed on Sunday evening, injuring at least three people and damaging parts of the compound. The temple was established in 1995 to accommodate Buddhist students studying at nearby universities. (JP/Jerry Adiguna)
Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali said the perpetrators of Sunday's bombing of Ekayana Buddhist Vihara in West Jakarta did not respect the sanctity of the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan and could therefore be considered 'accursed and barbaric'.
'The faithful should not be inflamed by the incident,' Suryadharma told journalists in Jakarta on Monday as quoted by Antara news agency.
The minister said it was hoped that the bombing would not disrupt relations between Muslims and Buddhists.
'I urge all religious followers not to be provoked by the incident,' said Suryadharma.
The minister visited the Buddhist temple shortly after the attack on Sunday evening. He stayed at the location for around 30 minutes to inspect parts of the building damaged in the attack. The temple gate was closed immediately after the religious affairs minister left the location
Police increased security in and around the temple following the blasts.
A loud boom was heard at Ekayana Vihara, which is located in a residential compound in Duri Kepa, West Jakarta, at around 8 p.m. local time on Sunday. (ebf)
