A terror plot aimed at Pope Francis during his visit to Indonesia was recently thwarted by local authorities. The visit marked the start of the Pope’s 12-day tour of the Asia Pacific region, which includes stops in Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. The 87-year-old leader of the Catholic Church, who has been using a wheelchair due to health issues in recent years, began his journey in Jakarta, Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country.
The plot, allegedly orchestrated by ISIS sympathizers, involved a group of individuals who were arrested on September 2 and 3 after law enforcement was tipped off by concerned citizens. The police conducted raids and discovered weapons, including bows, arrows, a drone, and ISIS-related propaganda materials. Local media, including The Straits Times, reported that these materials were found in one of the suspects’ homes. The group was reportedly infuriated by Pope Francis’ visit to a mosque in Jakarta, a move that they perceived as provocative.
During the Pope’s visit, Indonesian television stations were asked to refrain from broadcasting the Islamic call to prayer, instead focusing on his visit. This decision further enraged the suspects, described by authorities as extremists. The individuals arrested in connection with the plot have been identified only by their initials: HFP, LB, DF, FA, HS, ER, and RS. It remains unclear whether all the suspects were working together or if they acted independently.
Colonel Aswin Siregar, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s counterterrorism unit known as Densus 88, confirmed that the suspects had aired their threats on social media. “We have a mechanism to monitor and filter,” he explained, emphasizing that the authorities were able to act quickly thanks to a tip-off from members of the public. “Densus 88 has taken legal action against seven individuals who made threats in the form of propaganda or terror threats via social media in response to the Pope’s arrival,” Siregar said. The group had also made threats to set fire to locations connected to the Pope’s visit.
Pope Francis, speaking at Jakarta’s presidential palace earlier in the week, condemned religious extremism and called for dialogue between different faiths. “There are times when faith can be manipulated to foment divisions and increase hatred,” he stated. The Pope urged for mutual respect and the elimination of prejudices through open discussions, reinforcing the importance of interfaith dialogue in a country that has the world’s largest Muslim population.
Indonesia has a long history of grappling with terrorism. The country witnessed some of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the early 2000s, including the 2002 bombings in Bali, which claimed the lives of 202 people, and the 2009 attacks on luxury hotels in Jakarta. Islamic extremism, which has plagued Indonesia for decades, has also resurfaced globally, making headlines with threats and attacks in various regions. One recent example includes Taylor Swift having to cancel her performances in Vienna, Austria, following terror threats. Europe was also shocked by a knife attack in Solingen, Germany, adding to growing concerns about a resurgence of ISIS-related violence.
The fear of an ISIS comeback is not limited to Indonesia or Europe. Former CIA chief Michael Morell recently warned that Western countries, particularly the United States and the UK, may face a resurgence of terrorism similar to the events leading up to 9/11. Morell, who was in the White House with President George Bush on the day of the attacks and stood by President Barack Obama when Osama Bin Laden was killed, believes the current global atmosphere resembles the pre-9/11 era.
When asked if he feared another large-scale attack like 9/11, Morell stated unequivocally, “Yes. Absolutely. 100 per cent.” He explained that in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the sense of urgency in the White House and the CIA was palpable, with a collective determination to prevent another tragedy of that magnitude. “We need to do everything we can to protect America,” he said, suggesting that the world needs to regain that same focus and commitment to countering terrorism.
Morell also expressed concern that the UK might be at a higher risk of terror attacks than the U.S. He warned, “The threat to Europe and to your readers is even higher than it is in the U.S.” Morell pointed to previous terror incidents in Western Europe and Russia as examples of the growing danger. Referring to the Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow earlier this year, he highlighted that extremists have already made attempts to carry out large-scale attacks in these regions, raising the risk level for European nations.
As religious and political tensions continue to simmer in many parts of the world, authorities remain vigilant, especially with high-profile figures like Pope Francis traveling to regions with a history of extremist activity. The foiled terror plot in Indonesia serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by ISIS and other radical groups. Despite the best efforts of law enforcement agencies, the potential for further attacks looms large, especially as extremist ideologies find new platforms and recruits through social media and online propaganda.
Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia and other parts of the Asia Pacific is seen as an important gesture of goodwill and interfaith outreach. By visiting mosques and engaging in dialogue with leaders of different faiths, he aims to foster mutual understanding and respect. However, as the recent events in Indonesia illustrate, the path to peace and tolerance is fraught with challenges, particularly from those who seek to exploit religious differences for violent ends.
With ongoing efforts by counterterrorism units like Densus 88 and heightened awareness among the public, the threat of terrorism in Indonesia may be mitigated, but it remains a critical concern. The swift actions of Indonesian authorities, based on the vigilance of everyday citizens, likely prevented what could have been a devastating attack during the Pope’s visit. As global terror networks like ISIS continue to evolve and adapt, the international community must remain steadfast in its efforts to counter their influence and prevent further violence.
