Religious Liberty Prayer List – No. 159 – Wed 13 Mar 2002

———————————————————– INDONESIA: PRECARIOUS PEACE IN MALUKU; ACEH AROUSES CONCERN ———————————————————–

On 12 February, a peace accord was signed in Malino, South Sulawesi, by 80-strong delegations from each of the Muslim and Christian communities of Maluku. The 11 points in this ‘Moluccas Agreement of Malino’ aim to end the violence, uphold law and justice, denounce separatist activities, disarm all militias, and respect diversity. The Laskar Jihad refused to attend the peace talks, saying that the Muslim delegates at the negotiations in Malino did not represent the people of the province.

In mid-2000, thousands of well armed Laskar Jihad militants poured into Maluku. Their openly stated aim is to eradicate Christianity from Maluku, vowing to wage jihad (holy war) until their goal is achieved. The Maluku Front of Muslim Defenders, the Special Task Force (Muslim), and the Laskar Jihad all refuse to accept the peace accord. This makes the present peace a precarious one in need of prayer support. Only days after the Malino accord was signed, minority groups determined to foil it set off minor bomb blasts and protested in Ambon. Police even had to fire warning shots to disperse hundreds of Muslims gathered at the Al Fattah Grand Mosque.

Throughout February and into March, the Muslim and Christian communities have worked hard at reconciliation and maintaining peace. Muslim and Christian leaders led a peace march on 2 March in Ambon. Provocateurs used youths they plied with alcohol to disrupt the march. When the Christians were trapped and attacked in Ambon Plaza, their Muslim fellow marchers protected them. On 4 March, Jakarta Post reported that roads between the communities were re- opened, with Muslims and Christians gathering in groups, sitting, talking and laughing together. Pray for peace – Christians can only witness to their Muslim neighbours if they are talking to them.

SUFFERING IN ACEH

A reliable, as yet unconfirmed report has emerged that in October 2001, Christians in Aceh were forced to sign a ‘Mutual Agreement’ to destroy a number of their own churches. They were also not to engage in religious activity in the homes of residents nor missionary activity. The purpose of this agreement, signed by representatives of the Islamic and Christian communities, was to ‘create an atmosphere of living in harmony between the religious communities’. Failure to co-operate would result in ‘unwanted consequences which could instigate the destruction of unity and oneness between the religious communities’. There were no restrictions placed on the Islamic community.

Islamic Sharia Law was introduced into the Aceh Province at the beginning of 2002. Governor Abdullah Puteh said this was part of a special autonomy package extended to the province last year which would usher in a ‘new era’ for Aceh. From 15 March, police will start enforcing Islamic dress code. The sanctions on violators are as yet unspecified except that they will be ‘firm’. Government and private offices must have business signs installed in Arabic-style script. This apparently growing push for hardline Islam in Aceh will cause suffering for its small Christian minority.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR

* the efforts of provocateurs to fail, so that peace will hold in Maluku and the Church can focus on mission rather than primarily on survival. Praise God for his answers in the progress achieved.

* great wisdom for Christian leaders in Maluku as their congregations are provoked and attacked; for strength, courage, hope and a love for those who persecute them. (Matt 5:43-48)

* wise Christian leadership and the believers in Aceh as hardline Islam appears to take hold; that they will be remembered by their brothers and sisters elsewhere in Indonesia and the world.

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ Matthew 5:9,10

SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE: ——————————————————————- LIGHT IN MALUKU AND SHADOWS IN ACEH, INDONESIA

A peace accord has been signed at Malino that promises to secure peace in Maluku. Its 11 points aim to end the violence, uphold law and justice, denounce separatist activities, disarm all militias, and respect diversity. However, several Islamic groups have totally rejected the peace accord, declaring that the 80 appointed Muslims at the peace talks did not represent the people of Maluku. The Laskar Jihad has vowed to continue its jihad until there are no Christians in Maluku. Meanwhile, in the autonomous province of Aceh, Islamic Sharia Law has been introduced and Islamic dress codes are being enforced. This hardline Islam will result in suffering for the small Christian minority of Aceh. Pray for peace to hold in Maluku and for the Christians of Aceh.

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