Robert Go, Jakarta – As war clouds loom nearer and the prospects for more mass demonstrations against a United States-led invasion against Iraq grow in Indonesia, at least one man is ready to capitalise on a money-making opportunity.
Mr Syahrul Arief thinks his Saddam Hussein T-shirts would make the perfect attire for demonstrating Indonesian Muslims, expected to respond to war in Iraq by taking to the streets by the thousands.
His Quds apparel company started making these T-shirts about a month ago, and although sales have been sluggish so far with slightly over 400 sold, the Jakarta entrepreneur is confident he has a good product.
Mr Syahrul said: "These are different from the Osama T-shirts we sold last year. Saddam is not a bestseller yet because many Indonesians understand he is not a completely pure Muslim. He has done bad things.
"But if war starts, more people would be interested in Saddam T-shirts. Then they would perceive him as a fighter against America and support his cause. When that happens, the T-shirts would move faster."
He has at least three designs – two show Saddam wearing his beret and bearing slogans "We Support You" and "Ready for War". Another depicts a valiant Saddam defying an imperialistic US President George W. Bush. Each sells for $6, a price Mr Syahrul described as just right for the budget of Indonesia's students.
To some extent, the slack demand – and the expected pick-up rate – for Saddam T-shirts so far underlie how anti-American sentiment is a real issue in Indonesia.
Most Indonesian Muslims are moderate and do not necessarily support the Iraqi leader, but they show willingness to mobilise and show solidarity with him in the event of a US attack.
Indonesians are less pro-Saddam than they are wary of what has often been termed here as American imperialism.
As for Quds, it started making Muslim-themed T-shirts in 1992, when Mr Syahrul identified the potential market, especially amongst university students, for politically toned apparel that are "fit to wear" to public demonstrations.
At first, it emblazoned simple slogans such as "Be a good Muslim" or straightforward images of pious Muslims on its products. But political overtones quickly took over and thousands of T-shirts in support of Afghan freedom fighters or the Palestinian intifada appeared on the market. And Quds' owner knows what is good or bad business.
For instance, he has not done Mr Yasser Arafat, arguing that people would not buy his T-shirts because the Palestinian leader is seen as having compromised the Islamic cause. In contrast, Osama bin Laden was identified as a Muslim figure worthy of Indonesians' support.
Osama T-shirts hit the streets last year after US action in Afghanistan began, selling like hotcakes. Mr Syahrul said that to date, over 100,000 Osama T-shirts had been sold through his shop in Jakarta and university campuses nationwide.
Asked what he thinks of criticisms that he is adding fuel to anti-US feelings, he said he is tapping into existing sentiments, and not creating them.
"I wanted to help people express their Muslim pride and support their heroes, those who fight for Muslim causes. I am also doing this to make a living. I can't sell these T-shirts if people don't like the sentiments expressed already. Nobody would buy if they disagree."