Hangga Brata – The head of the country's largest Islamic organization paid a visit on Tuesday to the Solo church targeted by a suicide bomber, in a show of solidarity with the injured.

Said Aqil Siradj, chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, said during his visit to the church that the bomber had injured not just dozens of innocent people, but also Islam's image as a religion of peace.

"Certain groups are trying to make Islam synonymous with violence, in a bid to shatter the unity of our country," he said. In a visit to Solo's Oen Hospital, where many of the injured are being treated, Said repeated his condemnation of Sunday's attack and called it a tragedy for those of all religions.

"We have the same enemy, one that wants to ruin the harmony between Muslims and Christians in Solo," he said. "Islam," he added, "does not teach the violence."

Jonathan, a pastor at the targeted church who accompanied Said during the visit, said he welcomed the NU chairman's show of support.

"I appreciate everything Aqil has said," he said. "Our church congregation sees this as an act of terror by a group that does not respect diversity or harmony. For Muslim hard-liners like these, Christians and NU members alike are seen as infidels and hence justifiable targets for murder."

Said called for the police to be given greater powers of pre-emptive arrest in order to prevent similar attacks. "That's why the substance of the Constitution should be improved," he said.