Allah's Torch is a very good book on how the worldwide Islamic Insurrection is maturing in Indonesia. While done in a somewhat story/journalistic format (it has specific dates and places and some names are changed but it does not appear that the primary people who someone wanting to conduct research on the subject have had their names changed such as Abu Bakar Bashir, Imam Samudra, Jaffar Umar Thalib, etc and the names of groups have not been changed however, his guides names probably have). It starts with him traveling with his guide in May 2000 on an inter-island passenger ferry on his way to the Banda Islands and the Mollucas. On the same ferry was a large group of Laskar Jihad enroute to conduct a Jihad. He describes the climate on the ship and the island themselves. Of course he meets additional friends (and some potential enemies) along the way. After conducting his research of the situation in the Banda/Molluca Islands between the Christians and Moslems in the area he goes back to the U.S. and starts to write his book. Then the Bali Bombing happened and he goes back to Indonesia to see what has changed in the country since. He meets up with his previous guide (and by then friend) who intoduces him to someone else who will assist them in getting inside the Islamic organizations (you find out later he was also a terrorist/freedom fighter depending on your point of view). From there they interview and have general discussions with a range of personnel from a student of a Pesantren that is known for producing Islamic fighters to the head of Islamic organizations. This book gives a very good overview of what was the Islamic/Christian situation situation from 2000 to the end of 2003 in Indonesia and makes some observations from the outside looking in during early 2004. This was a very good and readable book that I enjoyed very much.
The book is somewhat dated and events in Indonesia such as the last election there and the recent tsunami have out run the issue of terrorism. Nevertheless, its a great read and rings very true. I have travelled to Indonesia frequently and as messed up as that country is I really love the place. So much so, I married an Indonesian and have close family ties there. I know Jakarta and Jogya and many of the other places described in the book. From my first hand experience I can confirm much of what Mr. Dahlby writes about. He sums up well the central issue: " And suddenly, viscerally, I was more than ever convinced that George Bush had set America on a devastatingly shortsigted path when on September 20, 2001 he'd declared: "Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." The black-and-white surety of such a statement really is shocking..."
Indonesia is and remains one of the most important countries in the region and should be treated so by the US government not through dictate but through understanding. Dahlby's book helps us to move in that direction.
