Indonesian president considers attack on Christian church "terrorist"

The Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the city of Macasar in Indonesia suffered an explosion during Palm Sunday, a holy day for Christians. At least 14 people have been injured and one killed, according to police sources. The authorities are investigating whether it was a terrorist act, as several witnesses saw a person blow himself up on a motorbike. Before the explosion, security personnel at the cathedral detained two people who appeared to want to attack the church, said inspector Raden Pradowo Argo Yuwono. Although the perpetrators have not yet been confirmed and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has already called the blast an "act of terrorism". Widodo also ordered the police to "thoroughly investigate the perpetrator's networks and dismantle the network to its roots".

Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim community, although it has a significant Christian minority. In recent years, Southeast Asia has seen an increase in attacks on Christian places of worship by radical groups that have pledged allegiance to Daesh. In January, a Macassar counter-terrorism unit killed two men suspected of involvement in two church bombings in the Philippines that killed more than 20 people. Police believe the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) group, which already attacked three churches in Surabaya in 2018, may be behind the new attack. "They want to show that they still exist and use this to propagate their group and recruit new members," said Ansyaad Mbai, former head of the National Counterterrorism Agency. Another Indonesian terrorist group is the Indonesian Mujahedin Indonesia Timur (MIT), which has been blamed for beheadings of Christians. 

The most serious jihadist attack in Indonesia occurred on the island of Bali in 2002. Bombs killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists.