With two religious festivals coming, namely Christmas and Ramadhan, rumours and
threats after threats have been received in Maluku that there will be more violence. This
has cause the Ambonese people live their daily lives in fear. Some of the rumours and
threats are:
1. Dark December: Let's Turn off the Candles in December
A bloody Christmas is one of the issues that has been the propaganda of the jihad
fighters with a theme "Let's turn off the candles in December" (candles being one of the
symbols of Christianity and Symbol of Christmas in Ambon). This issue was
accompanied with statements made by some Muslims that the fasting period will only
last three days in Maluku and the rest of the month of December will be violence and
bloodshed from Halmahera (North Maluku) to far Eastern part of the island groups. With
this, the Muslims of the Malukus are having a big prayer meeting in Passo and the
surrounding aeas (Christian concentrated areas). This plan is going to be done following
a massive attack on Passo areas from three different directions, namely Tulehu (east),
Nania (south), and Galunggung, campus of the muslim university, and Kebun Cengkeh
(west). This attack will be held just a few days before the big Ramadhan festival straight
after their big morning prayer on the day with the Muslims along the Leihitu peninsula (an
area now taken over by the Muslims).
2. Bloody Graduation Day Pattimura University
Graduation ceremony of the students of Pattimura University which is going to be held on
9th December 2000 is now under threats. It is stated by some Muslim fighters that
instead of a graduation ceremony there will be a bloody violence instead.
3. The Ai Villagers of Banda island are threatend
About 60 families who have been living in Ai village for many years are threatend to be
killed if they do not leave the island by December 2000. This threat was given by the
Muslims in the area and the information was forwarded to the governor of Maluku, Dr. M.
Saleh Latuconsina by the local government in Banda. The governor of Maluku suggested
two choices, sending more army batalyon to the area or evacuating the Christians out of
the island. This is only one of teh plans of the jihad fighters and the Muslims to drive the
Christians out of ther homes especially in strategic areas such as Seram and Buru
islands as well as many of the other islands.
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