There should be no discrimination against any parties in this world. The US believe in the spirit of freedom and tolerance for all."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Visiting US State Secretary Hillary Clinton in her remark at a press conference here on Monday said there should be no discrimination against any minority in this world.

Hillary made the statement in respond to a mob attack conducted by hard-line Muslims to Shiite community in Sampang district, East Java province. The attack killed two Shiites and injured scores of others. The attack also forced Shiites to flee their villages. Up till now, there are at least 50 refugees, all women and children accommodated at the Wijaya Kusuma Sport Hall in Sampang.

"There should be no discrimination against any parties in this world. The US believe in the spirit of freedom and tolerance for all," she commented briefly.

Earlier an Islamic leader has said the recent conflict in Sampang, Madura island, East Java province, was not between Nahdlatul Ulama (Sunnis) members and Shiites.

"It was purely criminal and was not a clash between Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) members and Shiite followers. It was between two brothers who fought for power," the chief of the biggest muslim organization in Indonesia Nahdlatul Ulama, Said Aqil Siraj, said after meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the palace recently.

He added that the conflict was between two brothers, Tajul Muluk and his younger brother Rohis, who had their own followers.

"The two brothers had been feuding, but the fight later spread to their followers," Siraj noted.

To resolve the problem, he said, he sought the intervention of NU leaders in East Java. "I asked the vice governor (who is also an NU leader) to intervene and he has already taken steps to improve the situation," Siraj stated.

He added that he would soon visit the village.

"The Sunni followers and Shiites have lived together harmoniously for a long time in the region and have never been involved in any conflict," Siraj said, referring to an NU boarding school in Pasuruan situated near a Shiite boarding school in Bangil.

Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali has also confirmed that the conflict in Sampang was not between NU and Shiite members but between two family members.

"I have urged the media to let everyone know that it was purely a family feud," he said.

Suryadharma added that the government was continuing to make efforts to improve the security situation in the area and restore peace. (A051/YH)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2012