When they finish defusing fiery political talk in Indonesia, the Mosques in the rest of the world need the same attention.

An obviously late observation...

"DMI was founded in 1972 to monitor the city’s ever-expanding number of mosques and prayer rooms. Board members are charged with overseeing the proper functioning of Islamic houses of worship, and are responsible for tracking the clerics and speakers who appear in them."

SUHARTO is long gone therefore who is really enforcing it right now???

Quote: “The functions of a mosque need to be expanded, and should not just be the home for Muslims to conduct prayers, but also to build on the civilization of Islam. Jakartans wish for mosques that are able to further an Islamic civilization, and in fact bring back that grand era of Islam experienced centuries ago.”

Worthwhile islamic civilisation didn't last that long did it? Was that before, after, during, or in between the jihads, invasions, and incursions into Europe, India, Palestine, the Mediterranean and Africa, where countless hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people were butchered?

Was that before or after the time when islamic mathematicians and astronomers rediscovered Greek studies, and made valuable contributions, before being forever banished by the fruitcase clerics, leaving a stagnant situation of hardline crackdowns, military expeditions to the four corners of the world, (the first uses of firearms in war outside China), some discoveries regarding the production of strengthened alcoholic beverages that made their way to Europe etc? Unfortunately, most learning and education not considered islamic enough was jumped on. This set the scene for nearly one thousand years of intellectual stagnation that persists to this day, the momentum of which has left those countries that adopted islam as backward in health, hygiene, education, socially, and in every other way. In addition, primitive superstitions, a fear of other faiths, clerics trying desperately to keep their brainwashed flocks faithful.

Yes all that ignorance, bloodshed, hatred, superstition, and waste is "islam's golden age" according to Fauzi Bowo.

I honestly believe there are few folk more self-deluded than muslims. Here is further evidence.

Instead of recreating a fantasised past, how about creating a worthwhile future based on real needs.

For the chronically delusionary like Bowo, that is not an option he wishes to offer. It should be turned down.

"A Mosque should never be used for political interests or campaigns"

Hmmm...Has this been going on?.... and I am wondering why he needs to make such a remark?

I am quite concerned about what is a clear indication of our possible future....

'to build on the civilization of Islam. Jakartans wish for mosques that are able to further an Islamic civilization, and in fact bring back that grand era of Islam experienced centuries ago.”

The Golden Era of Isalm which followed a significant expansionist perid that accounted for at least 7 whole countries and numerous Tribes ... I hope he is not signalling that really

Do Jakartans want that?? I don't I just want to rub along with everyone and make a buck