Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin – No. 241 – Wed 15 Oct 2003

———————————————- INDONESIA: TERROR RESURGES IN CENTRAL SULAWESI ———————————————-

While many gathered in Bali to remember the victims of the 12 October 2002 Bali bombing, the Christian residents of Central Sulawesi were facing a fresh wave of terror by militant Islamists.

The killing and rampaging began in the village of Beteleme just after midnight on Friday 10 October, with a cry of ‘Allahuakbar’ and a burst of machine-gun fire from attackers wearing masks and ninja-like attire. Their hour-long pogrom left two Christians dead and others wounded. One of those killed, Mrs Weridina Mbae (55) was a Sunday school teacher at the local GKST church, where Mr L Kamalo (46), one of the more seriously wounded, is an elder. He was shot in the leg and the arm, which was so badly shattered it had to be amputated. Some 200 residents are homeless due to the torching of 38 houses as well as a church. In this mixed village, all Muslim lives and homes were spared, except for four Muslim ones mistakenly burnt. (The militants apologised for accidentally burning these ‘wrong’ houses.)

Just after midnight on Sunday 12 October, Islamic militants armed with machine-guns and homemade bombs attacked simultaneously four predominantly Christian villages around Poso. Nine people were killed – men, women (including one who was 7 months pregnant), youths and a young girl aged 6 years. Most were shot in the head. Many of the wounded have serious bullet and shrapnel injuries. The attackers spread nails on the roads to obstruct the arrival of security forces. The authorities have noted that the attackers were well trained, fast and coordinated.

Also on Sunday 12 October, the military confronted over 20 armed intruders in Korowowu, a village near Beteleme, at 2 pm. At 6.30pm, a man in the village of Kolonedale blew off both his arms while trying to assemble a home-made bomb.

By Monday evening 13 October, thousands of Christians were seeking refuge in the hill town of Tentena, just as they have done during previous pogroms. They are extremely frightened. Many have only recently managed to rebuild their homes, which were burnt in previous jihad violence. Police reinforcements have arrived in Poso, Central Sulawesi, and calm has been restored. It is suspected that politically motivated provocateurs are behind the violence.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* the grieving, wounded and homeless Christians, that God will comfort their hearts, heal their bodies, and provide them with all they need to survive this difficult time.

* all provocateurs to be revealed, all militants to be captured, and that they will all be brought to justice. Pray also for all guns and bombs (and their suppliers) to be uncovered. ‘He (God) is the one who gives justice to the oppressed.’ Psalm 146:7a

* security to be completely restored and for humanitarian aid to be delivered to the victims.

* the Indonesian authorities, in the light of this violence, to heed and act now on the testimony of the imprisoned Rev. Renaldy Damanik regarding the corruption and flouting of disarmament in Central Sulawesi.

* President Megawati Soekarnoputri’s political resolve for stamping out terrorism and bring terrorists to justice will extend to domestic terrorism against Indonesian Christians.

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

TERROR RESURGES IN CENTRAL SULAWESI, INDONESIA

Jihad violence has returned to Central Sulawesi. In the early hours of Friday 10 October, masked militant Islamists attacked the predominantly Christian village of Beteleme, killing two and wounding many more. They also torched a church and 38 homes, leaving some 200 homeless. Early on Sunday 12 October, militant groups targeted four predominantly Christian villages around Poso simultaneously. They were well armed, professional, fast and coordinated. Nine people were killed, the youngest a girl aged six. Many others are seriously injured. Police reinforcements have restored calm. However, thousands of frightened Christians are once again seeking refuge in the hill town of Tentena. It is presumed that politically motivated provocateurs are behind the carnage. Please pray for a just and lasting peace for Central Sulawesi.

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Elizabeth Kendal researched and authored this message.

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