The continuing terror threat from Islamic radicals will overshadow Ramadan this year in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-populated nation.

Top security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono warned that the extremists who staged bombing attacks on the resort island of Bali and a Jakarta hotel are determined to strike again soon.

"The threat of terrorist attacks is imminent. We know that they are still planning further attacks," he said, just days before the start of the holy fasting month.

The attacks, and a string of earlier bombings, were carried out by Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), an Indonesian-based and Qaeda-linked terror network which wants to bomb its way to a regional Islamic state.

The attack on two Bali nightspots on October 12, 2002 – part of a holy war to avenge perceived Western oppression of Muslims worldwide – killed 202 people, mainly Western holidaymakers. Twelve people died in the Jakarta Marriott hotel attack in August.

Indonesians, who practise a traditionally moderate form of Islam, reacted with shock but also denial. Police have hunted down many bombers. Almost 30 of the Bali suspects have been sentenced, including three on death row.

But some political and religious leaders are still reluctant to single out Jemaah Islamiyah (Arabic for Islamic Community) by name for condemnation.

"As an organization, the JI does not exist in Indonesia. Where are its offices?" Hasyim Muzadi, chairman of Indonesia's largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, said in September. However, Muzadi condemned terrorism and did not rule out that JI may be active as an underground group.

Only this month did Indonesia's highest Islamic authority denounce JI directly. "We can't tolerate and support people who use the name of Jemaah Islamiyah to engage in terrorism," said Umar Shihab, chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council.

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said Monday that Islamic moderates "need to be strengthened in order for them to be able to speak out and to lead, and to present a new or different face of Islam." Such an Islam would "not be grossly associated with terrorism, with violence", he added.

Pre-Ramadan appeals so far have focused on traditional issues. The ulemas' council urged the government to close nightspots and ban television shows featuring pornography and violence during the fasting month. Ramadan starts around October 27 for Indonesia's estimated 170 million Muslims, depending on the sighting of the new moon by government experts.

Jakarta governor Sutiyoso has ordered most nightclubs, bars, discos, saunas, massage parlours and games parlours closed for the month. Observance of the order in past years has been patchy.

Muhammad Riziq Shihab, the head of the hardline Front for the Defenders of Islam, has threatened raids from his supporters unless the decree is obeyed. Shihab, whose group vandalised bars with apparent impunity in the past, is however currently serving a jail term over the attacks. He is not linked to the Bali blasts in any way but is a victim of a general crackdown on extremist Islamic groups which was prompted by the attack.