Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin – No. 247 – Wed 19 Nov 2003

—————————————– INDONESIA: CENTRAL SULAWESI VERY VOLATILE —————————————–

On Sunday 16 November, four Christians, all members of the Central Sulawesi Christian Church (GKST), were brutally murdered. Mr Oranje Tadjodja (58, the church treasurer) and his nephew, Yohanes Tadjodja (26), were ambushed in their car about 20km out of Poso between the Muslim villages of Puna and Tabalu. They were savagely beaten to death. Delfis Lingkuliwa (Dennis) from Wawopada village, was dragged off his motorcycle and beaten to death in Poso Central Market. Mr Bowo from Ranoncu village was also found dead in Poso Central Market, with his motorcycle burnt.

RLP 241 (15 Oct 2003) reported the systematic jihad terror attacks launched against several Christian villages between 10-12 October, that left at least 10 Christians dead. The government has linked the attacks to the regional terrorist network Jamaah Islamiyah.

On Saturday 15 November, police arrested three Muslim militants suspected of involvement in the 10-12 October jihad attacks. One of these jihad terror suspects, Hamid Sudin (22), was shot dead when he attacked the police. The other two have since been released.

The next day (the day the four were murdered), Muslims rioted outside Poso police headquarters to protest the death of Hamid Sudin. Christians from Tentena wanting information about the murders were refused entry to Poso because the police feared the presence of the Christians might spark more strife. There is much fear and grieving in Tentena, Central Sulawesi. Rev. Renaldy Damanik, imprisoned in Palu, is a member of the GKST and the head of the GKST Crisis Centre. He is devastated by the killings.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* the grieving families and members of the Central Sulawesi Christian Church (GKST), that they will know the peace of God that passes understanding, and be given grace from the Holy Spirit to pray for those who persecute them.

‘Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.’ 1 Corinthians 15:35,37

* the Indonesian government to take a decisive stand against religious violence and terrorism, restoring peace and security by removing and banning all foreign militants, disarming the population, and supporting the December 2001 Malino Declaration.

(See other special points for prayer following the Summary.)

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SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE: ————————————————————

CENTRAL SULAWESI (INDONESIA) VERY VOLATILE

From 10-12 October, Muslims militants waged jihad on several Christian villages of Central Sulawesi, leaving 10 Christians dead and multitudes displaced and homeless. On Saturday 15 November, police arrested three Muslim militants suspected of involvement in those attacks. One was shot dead when he attacked the police. The other two have since been released. On Sunday 16 November, Muslims protesting the death rioted outside Poso Police HQ. Four Christians, members of the Central Sulawesi Christian Church, were in the wrong place at the wrong time around Poso and were savagely murdered. The church is grieving and there is much fear. The situation is extremely volatile. Please pray for peace and security in Central Sulawesi.

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SPECIAL DATES FOR SPECIAL PRAYERS

* 20 NOVEMBER

The RLP October Update reported 22 Christians imprisoned in EGYPT and severely punished for changing their Muslim names to Christian names on their identity cards. Now, 17 have been released, but the five still detained are suffering immensely under tremendous pressure. Their detention will be reviewed on 20 November. Please pray for their release and that God will sustain them.

(The five still in prison include Mariam, one of the first arrested. A photograph of Mariam and her family can been seen at <http://www.compassdirect.org/en/breaking.php?idelement=119>.)

* 21 NOVEMBER

Ramadan Muslim NIGHT OF POWER (Laylatul Qadr). According to the hadith, the sayings of Mohammad: ‘Whoever prays during the night of Qadr with faith and hoping for its reward will have all of his previous sins forgiven.’ Please pray that all Muslims truly seeking forgiveness of sins will find Jesus, the Lamb of God and only Saviour.

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The WEA Religious Liberty Commission sponsors this RL Prayer List to help individuals and groups pray specifically and regularly for religious liberty issues, and in particular to uphold the Church where it is suffering persecution.

RL Prayer is moderated by Ron Clough, a commissioner of the WEA RLC and convenor of the Australian EA RLC.

Elizabeth Kendal researched and authored this message.

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