HTML pages
designed &
maintained by
Alifuru67
Copyright ©
1999/2001 -
1364283024
& 1367286044
|
|
|||||
|
|
||||
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
No. 941
Washington, D.C. 20006-1846
TEL. (301) 989-1708 WEB: www.persecution.org E-MAIL: icc@persecution.org
Indonesia--Christian Persecution in Indonesia
Asia: Indonesia
Country Report Last Updated: October 2001
Code: B-2
COUNTRY STATISTICS
Area: 1,919,440 sq km
Capital: Jakarta
Main Cities: Surabaja, Medan, Bandung, Semarang Population: 216,108,345
Population Growth: 1.46%
Birth Rate: 22.78 births/1,000 people
Death Rate: 8.14 deaths/1,000 people
Infant Mortality: 57.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Life Expectancy: 62.92 years
Religions: Muslim, Christian
Languages: Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch Ethnic Groups: Javanese, Sundanese, Madurese, coastal Malays Currency: Indonesian rupiah (Rp)
Exchange Rate: 8,635 Rp=US$1
Total GDP: $602 billion
Per Capita PPP: $2,830
Imports: $24 billion
Exports: $49 billion
(Source: CIA World Fact Book 1999)
Religious Atmosphere:
Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country in terms of the number of adherents. Eighty-eight percent of Indonesia's people are Muslim and almost 60% of these are Javanese Muslims who practice a very unorthodox version of Islam mixed with mysticism and Buddhism. However, the number of Islamic extremists is growing. The Christian community is 5% Protestant and 3% Roman Catholic. Tension between Muslims and Christians is present throughout Indonesia but is mostly concentrated in the Maluku province (formerly called the Spice Islands) where Muslim and Christian populations are roughly equal.
Government:
* All residents of Indonesia must choose one of the five government-recognized religions (Islam, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Buddhism or, Hinduism). Their religious affiliation is then marked on all official documents, including an identification card.
* A 1969 regulation dictates that the agreement of the local community must be obtained before building a house of worship. A permit must also be obtained from the Ministry of Religion. As a result of these laws, Christians in Muslim-dominated areas have difficulty in obtaining permission to build churches.
* The law allows conversion between religions. However, proselytizing in areas heavily dominated by another religion is discouraged because it is seen as disruptive.
* Recently religiously oriented political parties, illegal under the Soeharto regime, have become legal again. Muslim parties won 30% of the vote while Christian parties did not fair well.
* President Abdurrahman Wahid is an Islamic leader but his moderate stance and promotion of secular politics and tolerance have drawn strong criticism from militant Muslims. The government officially condemns jihad against the Christians in the Maluku. However, Wahid has done little to stop the violence.
* Many members of Indonesia's armed forces have helped militant Muslims in their goal of ridding the country of Christians.
Extremist Groups:
* Laskar Jihad (Holy War Army) -- a self-styled army of Islamic "warriors" who are waging a "holy war" against Christians. The army is mostly composed of veterans from Bosnia and Afghanistan along with students from local Muslim schools.
* Muslim Ahlus-Sunnah Wal Jama'ah Forum – a paramilitary group which claims its role is to help fellow Muslims, not attack Christians. The group has, in fact, been involved in violent acts but claims they were in self-defense.
* Hamas – a violent revolutionary group * Indonesian Committee for Worldwide Islamic Solidarity (KISDI)
Recent Actions:
* Ongoing – Violence between Muslims and Christians began on January 19, 1999 during a dispute between a Christian bus driver and a Muslim passenger. Insiders say, however, that the incident simply provided the necessary catalyst for militant Muslims to instigate a premeditated plan of violence against Christians. As of February of 2001, an estimated 8,000 people have been killed in the resulting violence and at least 500,000 have been displaced.
* Ongoing – Since April of 2000, militant Muslims have been arriving in large numbers to the Maluku province. Most of them received military training in northern Java where they were prepared to fight a jihad against Christians. The militant Muslims arrive by means of public transportation and later arm themselves with weapons which have been smuggled to the island. The influx of these Muslims is a major source of the continuing violence on the island of Ambon.
* Ongoing – As of December 2000 it is reported that as many as 5000 Christians have been forced to undergo Muslim conversion rituals to convert to Islam. Those refusing to embrace the Islamic faith are often beheaded. Their heads are then paraded around the village to strike fear into the hearts of other Christians.
*September 23, 2001 – Extremist Indonesian Islamic organizations are rallying support for Osama bin Laden. On Sunday, Abu Bakar Baasir, leader of the Laskar Mujahedeen task force told a gathering, "Bin Laden is fighting for our beliefs, so we must support his struggle if possible. We could help Afghanistan in defending attacks launched by the U.S. government."
* September 18, 2001 – An approximated 42,608 refugees from 14 sub-districts in North Malaku have returned home. The group of Christians and Muslims, was displaced 2 years by violent conflicts, but now have agreed to "forge a new brotherhood." (Jakarta Post)
* August 7, 2001 – 3,000 members of the Laskar Jihad (Ahlul Sunnah wal Jamaah), led by Ajip Safruddin, are poised to exterminate remaining Christians trapped in central Sulawesi. Laskar Jihad arrived in Palu, the capital of central Sulawesi "to observe the life and condition in Poso." Ajip was quoted, "we have been called to help our Muslim brothers in Poso after learning that many Muslims had been killed and robbed of their rights." The Jihad have already dispatched 500 troops with another 2,500 on the way.
* August 2, 2001 – Tuesday evening, two women were injured at the Christ Alfa Omega Tabernakel Bethel Church when a car bomb exploded in the church parking lot. The wife of Rev. Timotius Subekti, Susana Hilda Riyanti and her daughter Ferra Subekti suffered injuries and are being treated at the Tlogorejo Hospital in Semarang. Susana's right leg was amputated due to the severity of the wounds.
* July 22, 2001 – Two churches were rocked by bomb blasts east of Jakarta on Sunday, witnesses said, including one church celebrating Mass. At least 43 people were injured in the Roman Catholic Santa Ana Church, and two people lost limbs. 14 people were hospitalized. Minutes later, a second bomb erupted in an empty minibus parked at a nearby Protestant church. There were no injuries in the second blast. Police blamed the bombings on unknown forces trying to disrupt the impeachment of President Abdurrahman Wahid.
* June 2001 – Around 200 Christians were rescued from an island in North Maluku where they had been forced to convert to Islam and were held against their will for more than a year.
* May 29, 2001 – Four churches in East Java were attacked as political rioting erupted into violence against Christians. Three churches were damaged by stones and one burned down because no firefighters showed up to extinguish the blaze, which had been set by the rioters.
* May 23, 2001 – Three people disguised as ninjas reeked havoc in the Christian village of Kusu-Kusu. At least one woman was murdered in her home and several others were wounded by stabbing and a grenade explosion. The Brimob (police) later located and shot the ninjas, believed to be jihad warriors from Java, mortally wounding them.
* May 20, 2001 – Four Christian neighborhoods in Ambon were targeted by jihad warriors who are now apparently disguising themselves as ninjas. The ninjas knocked on doors in the Christian neighborhoods. Anyone opening the door was then stabbed with a bayonet. Grenades were also thrown, resulting in the destruction of 10-20 houses. Nine people are reported dead and 17 injured.
* May 13, 2001 – A speedboat full of Christians traveling from Gudang Arang to Galala was attacked by black-clad "ninjas." Three people were killed and two others were seriously injured. The attack may have been provoked by Ambon's jihad leader, Ustad Attamimi, who called for revenge against Christians for their alleged involvement in the death of 3 Muslims on May 10.
* May 9, 2001 – Four Christians were reportedly shot dead when they attempted to check up on their farms in Duma village. Duma has been under the control of jihad warriors since June of 2000 when hundreds of Christian villagers were slaughtered and others were forced to flee. The four Christians had been living as refugees but hoped to be able to move back to their village.
* May 4, 2001 – Laskar Jihad leader, Jafar Umar Thalib was arrested in Surabaya and is currently being held at the Police Headquarters in Jakarta. Despite his arrest it is reported that thousands more jihad warriors are being dispatched to Maluku.
* April 28, 2001 – Muslims arriving by boat attacked Waenalut village on the island of Buru. Two people were killed and all of the remaining houses were razed.
* April 27, 2001 – An extremist radio station broadcast encouraged its listeners to kill any Muslim participating in reconciliation efforts or any Muslim doing business with a Christian. "If a Muslim is caught doing business with a Christian, kill him, for it is better to slay one Muslim than that the whole Muslim community is wiped out…" Some moderate Muslims have already been victims of aggression by militant groups.
* April 2, 2001 – Around 30 Muslims attacked the village of Kase on Buru Island, killing three people, including a father and son.
* March 26, 2001 – The body of Semy Toisuta, the son of a Protestant pastor, was found floating at Slamet Riyadi harbor in Ambon. His body had been mutilated, including being circumcised.
* March 20, 2001 – Agus Wattimena, a Christian grassroots leader, was killed by gunshot. It is not known who was responsible.
* February 21, 2001 – Christians in Alang Asaude village on the island of Ceram were attacked by Muslim forces entering from the village of Waisala and from the sea. At least 3 people were killed and another was seriously injured as the Christian residents tried to flee to a safe place. Only 8 houses in the entire village of Alang Asaude remain undamaged.
* February 2001 – ICC, along with Christian groups based in Indonesia, has launched a project to rescue Christians being held against their will by Muslims. Christians in at least 8 villages have been forcibly converted to Islam. Many have endured forced circumcision. Military forces, which are thought to be restraining violence against the Christians, are expected to gradually pull out of these villages by the end of February. ICC hopes to be able to transport these Christians to safe refugee camps and provide their basic needs for approximately 6 months.
* February 2001 – Numerous reports indicate that forced conversion to Islam and forced circumcisions may be more widespread than originally thought. Forced Islamization has been reported in parts of Seram, Buru, Bacan and Halmahera as well as Kasiui and Teor (mentioned in detail below). No one is exempt from circumcision, as both men, women, elderly, and infants have been forcibly circumcised. The use of dull razor blades and the absence of proper sanitation in these procedures have led to infections and in some cases, death.
* January 24, 2001 – The hamlet of Hatu Alang on the island of Ceram was attacked by approximately 500 Jihad warriors. Three civilians and an infantry sergeant were killed and as many as 84 houses were destroyed along with several churches and schools. Some residents fled to the woods and were later evacuated.
* January 10, 2001 – A car full of Christians was attacked as it traveled through the Muslim neighborhood of Galunggung in Ambon. Three were wounded and two remain missing as a result of the attack. Two other Christians were seriously wounded in Batumerah when their limousine was shot at.
* December 24, 2000 -- Several churches were destroyed and at least 19 people were killed as bombs exploded in or near Christian churches all over the country. Several Catholic churches in Jakarta were targeted as well as churches in West Java, Batam Island, and Sumatra. By God's grace many other bombs were discovered before they were able to detonate.
* December 22, 2000 – President Abdurrahman Wahid publicly admitted the reality of forced Islamization, saying "There is an effort by Islamic extremists to convert Christians to Islam. This is not right."
* December 18, 2000 – A team that was sent to Kasiui to investigate allegations of forced Islamization returned along with approximately 172 Christians who were then sent to refugee centers. The group consisted mainly of women and children. Many of the Christians were prohibited from evacuating. An estimated 800-1000 are still being held against their will. The team felt their investigations were hampered by the presence of Muslims while converts were questioned about whether they had come to Islam of their own free will.
* December 8, 2000 – Muslim and Christian groups from Maluku met in Yogyakarta for "Baku Bae" (reconciliation talks). However, even if local Muslims want peace in Maluku, extremist factions are pushing to continue the jihad and some local Muslims have been threatened to continue the jihad or be killed themselves.
* December 2, 2000 – Five men were wounded when residents of the Muslim neighborhood of Batumerah began firing mortars towards the Christian neighborhood of Mardika in Ambon.
* December 1, 2000 – On Kasiui island teachers David Balubun and E. Rumatera were beheaded for refusing to convert to Islam.
* November 23, 2000 – Four Christian villages on Kasiui island were attacked by the Laskar Jihad. While around 500 people fled to a neighboring island, at least 760 people fleeing into the woods were kidnapped by Muslims and held hostage. A survivor reported that most of the Christians were forced to convert to Islam while as many as 100 Christians died for refusing to recant their faith.
* September 27, 2000 – The Civil State of Emergency called by President Wahid in June ended.
* September 26, 2000 – Muslim men clad in white fired mortars on Christians in Hative Besar, killing at least 5 people and razing nearly 60 homes. Suli and Galala villages were also attacked by members of neighboring villages.
* September 24, 2000 – The village of Hative Besar on the island of Ambon was attacked during Sunday service. At least 20 people were killed and several more were wounded.
* September 20, 2000 – Muslim holy warriors swept across the island of Saparua in Maluku province, attacking the villages of Sirsori Islam, Ulat, Iha, Nolot, Ihamahu and Pia. These attacks resulted in the burning of several homes, the destruction of a church in Pia and one possible death.
* September 17, 2000 – Christian Kaleb Situmorang was killed in a drive-by shooting in Medan. Mr. Situmorang was mistaken for Pastor Benjamin Munthe because he was driving the pastor's car and wearing similar clothing. This was the third attempt on the life of Pastor Munthe, who also survived two attempted bombings. Mr. Situmorang was Pastor Munthe's assistant and a member of the rapidly-growing Victorious Faith church.
* July 4, 2000 – Pattimura University, the provincial government university in Ambon, was attacked and burned by people coming from the Poka/Rumah Tiga area. It is believed that members of the Aceh Liberation Movement were behind the attack. If this is true, it would indicate that the fighting taking place in Maluku is not strictly religious in nature. Pattimura University has no ties to a religious institution.
* July 2, 2000 – Ten people were rescued after their ferry was lost in a severe storm. The Cahaya Bahari was carrying approximately 491Christians from the war-torn Maluku province to Manado when it disappeared. Most of the people on board were Christians trying to escape the escalated violence in the Malukus. Some were victims of the attack on Duma village (see June 19-20 below). The remaining 481 passengers remain missing and are assumed dead.
* June 26, 2000 – President Wahid called a state of emergency in the Maluku province due to escalated violence in the area in recent weeks. Giving power to the military will do little to stop the fighting, however, as it is largely unorganized and unable to respond. Three factions of the military have materialized: Muslims participating in the jihad, Christians, defending their brothers and sisters, and Muslims who will neither fight the jihad nor defend the Christians.
* June 24, 2000 – Fighting in Ambon has been continuing for at least a week. Most of the city has been burned and Christians are fleeing to nearby mountains since 75% of the island is now controlled by Muslims. The Christian University in Ambon was totally destroyed during this week's fighting.
* June 23, 2000 – Members of the Brimob (police brigade) were attacked by militant Muslims after the Brimob attempted to stop them from attacking Christians. The police barracks and officer's quarters were burned. Two officers were killed in the attack. A Protestant church in the village of Tantui was also burned.
* June 22, 2000 – The Indonesian navy evacuated 700-800 Christians from the island of Halmahera due to the massacre there earlier in the week (see below). The navy was acting under the order of the President to close off Maluku to all outsiders. Despite this, however, more members of the Laskar Jihad arrived to the islands only a few days later.
* June 19-20, 2000 – Between 160 and 180 Christians were killed when a large force of Muslim fighters attacked Duma on the island of Halmahera. Another 20-30 women and children were carried off by the attackers and are assumed dead. Around 300 homes were also destroyed.
* May 30, 2000 – At least 50 Christian villagers were massacred in a pre-dawn raid carried out by the Laskar Jihad on the island of Halmahera. More than 100 others were injured in the raid.
* May 28, 2000 – Two churches in Medan, northern Sumatra, were bombed during worship services and many were seriously injured. Two more bombs were found in area churches only hours later.
* May 25-26, 2000 – At least 34 people were killed when a band of Muslims launched a sea-borne raid on a Christian village in the remote Galela district on the island of Halmahera.
* May 16-21, 2000 – Over 40 people were killed and more than 100 injured during six days of rioting between Christians and Muslims in Ambon.
* April 6, 2000 – Five thousand Islamic extremists met at a rally in Jakarta where they declared a holy war against Christians in the Maluku province. Radical leaders told the group that 10,000 youths were being given military training to fight in the jihad.
* March 27, 2000 – Fourteen boats carrying militant Muslims arrived at Buru island where they destroyed 105 houses, 3 churches, and 2 schools. Ninety percent of the island is now controlled by Muslims and only 5 of 19 Christian villages remain.
* January 30, 2000 – Muslim mobs damaged or destroyed at least 12 churches in Yogyakarta.
Prisoners:
Six Christians were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison after being convicted of kidnapping a Muslim girl and forcing her to convert to Christianity. The three accused men, Salmon Ongirwalu, Robert Martinus, and Yanwarddi Koto, have served one year of their sentence in prison while the 3 women, Liza Zuriana Ongirwalu, Meliana Martinus and Yeni Mendrova, have remained free on compassionate grounds. The girl in question had sought protection from Pastor Koto's church in 1998, claiming her Muslim parents were going to hurt her. She was then taken care of by the 6 accused Christians for approximately 3 months. The case has recently been referred to President Wahid.
You may write to the prisoners mentioned above by sending letters in care of a local prison ministry.
A/N Mrs. Paradede
Bandur Pulau Karam, No. 13C
Pandang 25118
Indonesia
Suggested Actions you might take:
- Pray for the Christians of Indonesia that they may continue to be protected from harm and that the Christian message may be heard and received by all.
- Write a respectful letter to one or more of the government officials listed below. Express your continuing concern for the safety and well being of the Christian community in Indonesia. Request information about what steps the government is taking to ensure their protection and freedom to practice their faith as laid out in the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights documents.
- Contact the elected national officials (Senators, Congressman etc.) for your area as well as the U.S. State Department and express concern for the well being of the Christians in Indonesia asking them to make an inquiry into their status.
- Please keep us informed of any replies or results you may receive! Contact ICC by email at icc@persecution.org.
Official Contacts:
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
2020 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-5200
Fax: (202) 775-5365
Minister for Religious Affairs
Muhammed Tolhah Hasan
Jl. Lapangan Banteng Barart No. 3-4
Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia
Tel: 011 62 21 360-244
Fax: 011 62 21 361-720
President Megawati Sukarnoputri
Istana Merdeka
Jakarta 10110
Indonesia
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Dr. Alwi Abdurrahman Shihab
Jl. Pejambon No. 6
Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia
Tel: 011 62 21 344-1508
Fax: 011 62 21 360-517
*We make every attempt to keep up with and reflect changes in the national government of Indonesia and the current human rights situation. We appreciate your feedback if you find any discrepancies in this information. You can contact us by e-mail at: icc@persecution.org. Thanks.
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves."
International Christian Concern (ICC)
2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW #941
USATel: 1-301-989-1708
Toll Free in USA: 1-800-ICC-5441
Fax: 1-301-989-1709
E-Mail: icc@persecution.org
Web: www.persecution.org
IMPORTANT NOTE: ICC is a registered IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit charity in the United States of America. Gifts are tax deductible for U. S. tax purposes.
Last Modified: October 09, 2001
http://www.persecution.org/humanrights/indonesia.html
Copyright © 2001 International Christian Concern, Washington, D.C., USA. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1999-2001 - Ambon Berdarah On-Line * http://www.go.to/ambon
HTML pages designed and maintained by Alifuru67 * http://www.oocities.org/baguala67
Send your comments to alifuru67@egroups.com