Religious Liberty Prayer List – No. 181 – Tue 13 Aug 2002

—————————– INDONESIA: TERROR IN SULAWESI —————————–

In the past few weeks, there has been serious religious violence in both Pakistan and Sulawesi, Indonesia. In Pakistan on Tuesday 6 August, two Christians were amongst those shot and killed in the militant assault on the Murree Christian School. Then on Friday 9 August, three Christian nurses were killed and 32 others injured, six seriously, when grenades were thrown into the chapel at the Presbyterian-affiliated Taxila Eye Hospital just outside Islamabad. Meanwhile in Indonesia, Islamic militants have yet again inflicted terror on the population of Central Sulawesi. As this violence is not receiving international media coverage, we will devote the body of this RLP to the situation in Sulawesi.

At 3:30am on Sunday morning 4 August, 80 to 100 well-armed jihad militiamen in black ninja uniforms arrived in speedboats at the coastal village of Matako, 32 km east of Poso. At least seven people were shot and wounded (including five women) and four others remain missing. The Pentecostal Church, the Presbyterian Church, and 27 houses were burned to the ground. On Tuesday morning 6 August, a similar attack was mounted against Malitu village. On 8 August, unidentified gunmen attacked a bus travelling through Pamona Selatan, Central Sulawesi, killing a Western tourist.

More than 2000 people, mostly Christians, from Matako, Malitu and the neighbouring villages of Galuga, Malei-Lage and Tongkoyang, have been forced to flee their homes. At least 1,200 are now seeking refuge in Tentena in a scene reminiscent of the crisis eight months ago. (See RLP 146 Indonesia: Laskar Jihad Ravage Sulawesi, 5 Dec 2001).

The Jakarta Post (JP) reports, “Foreign soldiers (mujahideen) have reportedly arrived in Poso for unexplained reasons and motives.” The JP adds that operatives from the Army’s elite special forces, Kopassus, specialising in intelligence, have been sent to investigate. This is the worst violence to hit Central Sulawesi since the Malino Declaration peace accord was signed on 20 December 2001. The JP also reported, “Military Commander Maj. Gen. Amirul Isnaeni, said he has no plans to deploy troops to assist security authorities in Poso despite the increasing violence.”

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* believers in both Pakistan and Indonesia who are grieving over loved ones killed in the recent terror attacks. “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.” (Ps 55:22 NLT)

* those who are suffering injuries and/or displacement, that they will receive the care they need and be encouraged in their faith.

* security to be established in Pakistan and Sulawesi, so that Christians may be protected from the assaults of Islamic militants. “The Lord’s loved ones are precious to him; it grieves him when they die.” (Ps 116:15 NLT)

* wisdom and courage for Christian leaders in Pakistan and Sulawesi, so that they will know how best to comfort and lead their people and how to promote peace.

SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE: ——————————————————————- TERROR IN SULAWESI (INDONESIA)

Violence has once again broken out in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, eight months after a peace accord was signed. Islamic jihad militiamen attacked Matako on 4 August and Malitu on 6 August in terrifying pre-dawn raids. Churches and homes have been destroyed; Christians have been injured, have gone missing, and have been forced to flee their homes. Christians have taken refuge once again in Tentena. On 8 August, unidentified gunmen attacked a bus, killing a Western tourist. Authorities are investigating reports of ‘foreign’ mujahideen operating in the area. Though this is the worst violence since the peace accord of December 2001, authorities say there are no plans to deploy troops to assist in security. So that’s a further prayer point!

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Elizabeth Kendal researched and authored this message.