Some 100 Indonesian Muslim women staged a peaceful demonstration Thursday protesting any US plans for an attack on Afghanistan as part of its war against terrorism.
The head-scarved protesters, who call themselves "The Muslim Women Sisterhood", shouted "Peace is beautiful" and "Peace, yes, terrorism, no" outside the United Nations office for 30 minutes
"We are strongly against terrorism as a whole, but if they are going to attack Afghanistan it will be a new form of terrorism because many innocent civilians will be victimized," said the group's spokesman, Zyrlifera Jamil.
Jamil said President Megawati Sukarnoputri -- who held talks with US President George W. Bush on Wednesday -- "must not betray the aspirations of [the] Muslim community" in Indonesia.
On Wednesday radical Islamic groups in Indonesia threatened to raid US facilities and expel American citizens if Washington attacks Afghanistan.
But Jamil said her group "will never support any raids by any Muslim groups" on US residents and facilities in Jakarta.
The protesters went on to a main roundabout a few blocks away and distributed roses to onlookers before dispersing peacefully -- JAKARTA (AFP)
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