Is ISIS planning a terror attack on Buddhism and the travel and tourism industry in Indonesia?

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

Is ISIS attacking the travel and tourism industry? The Borobudur Temple is a major landmark for travel and tourism to Indonesia and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Is ISIS attacking the travel and tourism industry? The Borobudur Temple is a major landmark for travel and tourism to Indonesia and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Indonesian police have been put on alert at the Borobudur Temple after a threat against the worldโ€™s biggest Buddhist was made on Facebook by Islamic State supporters.

The threat was posted on a Facebook account under the title โ€˜We Are Islamic Stateโ€™ โ€“ apparently the one of Islamic State (formerly known as ISIS) followers โ€“ on August 15.

It read, โ€œGod willing, [Borobudur] will be demolished by Islamic caliphate mujahidin!โ€

Tightening security around Borobudur was not the only measure taken, as police in Central Java province also begun thoroughly searching through data from the Internet for possible clues about the plan, National Police spokesman Ronny F. Sompie told the Jakarta Post on Friday.

Following the reports of the threat, Borobudur Conservation Agency had prepared for the imminent bombing with increased number of security personnel within and around the temple, said the head of the agency, Marsis Sutopo.

The Indonesian army has also been involved. Earlier this week, commander of the Diponegoro Military Command, operating in two Java districts, Major-General Sunindyo confirmed readiness to back up security around the temple.

Built in Central Java in the IX century, Borobudur is known as the largest and one of the most important Buddhist monuments in the world. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1991, after major renovation works. With over 500 Buddha statues, it serves not only as a key tourist attraction in Indonesia, but also as a pilgrimage site for Mahayana Buddhists from all over the world.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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