His name is Abdul Hak, he sees the Taleban as 'good Muslims', advocates Islamic Syariah law and prefers tradition to modernity. He is also a blue-eyed Englishman who teaches technology, works in Malaysia because he can earn decent money there, and met his Indonesian wife through the internet.
Gwen McFadden converted to Islam, even though her Indonesian husband saw no need. But she was so terrified of the threatened 'sweepings' - meaning harassment and expulsion of 'infidel' foreigners - she took to wearing her Muslim headscarf. She has just left Indonesia to return home to Canada.
Australian Irfan Kortschak became a Muslim to marry his Indonesian wife, as Indonesian law demands. Then on delving into the faith he decided it was the answer for him. His pilgrimage to Mecca this year was the most astounding experience of his life.
Raymond Klesc is an American. He was horrified by the attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, and is eager to condemn the Taleban, Osama bin Laden and any extremist Muslim and terrorist. He too is a Muslim.
INDONESIA PRESENTS A DAZZLING ARRAY of adherents to an often demonised religion. But at a time when the West is apparently at war with Islam, these four Westerners suggests the division is more complicated than it may seem.
Islam, and to an extent Indonesia, have become things to fear, and the 'Muslim terrorists' who smashed symbols of Western capitalism and power haven't helped. Nor has Indonesia's radical Islamic fringe, which leapt into action as soon as the American bombing of Afghanistan began.
The Front to Defend Islam (Front Pembela Islam, or FPI), various Islamic student groups and some members of the Laskar Jihad (Holy War Legion) quickly staged demonstrations outside the United States embassy in Jakarta. The Islamic Youth Movement (GPI) claims to have sent 300 volunteers to help the Taleban, and says many are still in Afghanistan.
