, whom Fareena knows personally.
He returned from Maluku, Indonesia a few days ago. He went as a
fact-finder to see what is really causing the conflicts between Muslims
and Christians in Maluku, and ofcourse, assess the situation. This crisis
has claimed thousands of lives. Recently, it was found out that the
Straits Times has been portraying a strangely and suspiciously biased
picture of the conflict. If you are interested in reading about the letter
to the Straits Times, please refer to:
http://www.themodernreligion.com/media_st_indonesia.htm
Farrukh went with the second trip organised by MERCY to see for himself.
Please read and consider.
--------------------------
The situation there is very dangerous and I am fortunate to have travelled
with a group for part of my journey as well as fostering relations with the
local NGO (PKPU) operating for the Muslims in the area.
*****************
INITIAL CONTACT
*****************
Following the first expedition to Maluku led by Dr Jemilah of MERCY
(Malaysian Medical Relief Society), I contacted her and was informed of a
second trip departing on April 25th. She put me in touch with Dr Azhar
(MERCY's VP) with whom I liased to make arrangements. He suggested the best
route for me would be with the team into Maluku - and I agreed so had made
arrangements to liase in Kuala Lumpur.
**************
MY ITINERARY
**************
London to San Francisco:
San Francisco to Seattle:
Seattle to San Francisco:
San Francisco to Tokyo:
Tokyo to Singapore:
Singapore to Kuala Lumpur:
Kuala Lumpur to Singapore:
Singapore to Manado:
Manado to Ternate:
Ternate to Ambon:
Ambon to Ternate:
Ternate to Manado:
Manado to Singaporre:
Singapore to London
(the above excludes excursions to the various islands by boats)
**********
THE TEAM
**********
1. Dr Mohamad Nor Sundari (group leader): Orthopedic surgeon
2. Mr. Halim Lim Abdullah : Medical assistant
3. Mr. Mahdzir Muhammed Isa: fact finder (humanitarian fund)
4. Mr. Farrukh Imran Younus: BIF fact finder
**************
THE FIRST STEP
**************
Further to Dr Azhar's suggestion we arranged to meet in Kuala Lumpur -
where an initial briefing was held. From there itineraries were arranged,
flights and details confirmed as well as advice from the experience of Dr
Azhar and other members of Mercy's first team to the area.
Dr Nor and Mr Halim's task was to consider the medical needs of the Muslims
in the area - as well as to transfer medical equipment to the region.
Whereas Mr Mahdzir and I shared the mission of collecting further
information on the activities in the area.
**********
THE CRISIS
**********
It is said that the problems in the region were sparked with the financial
crisis of last year. This however is a farce. The attack by the Christians
was very well planned. Speculation suggests that support arrived from
Christian Missionaries (specifically American and Dutch sponsored) who
tried to divide the Muslims but having failed in their attempts began this
military procedure - and Allah knows best. Whatever the resolve, the
Christians are well armed and have accss to the latest communications
devices as well as weaponry.
Unofficial reports have been found of letters written by the 'missionary
priests' calling for the 'christians' to attack the muslims by 'any means
possible'. Also further unofficial reports have been circulating of weapons
being provided to the Christians smuggled in via various countries
including one consignment with Australian markings.
Numerous villages have been attacked, and abandonded. Muslims have been
forced out and in retaliation are fighting with what little they have i.e.
knives, slingshots and bows and arrows - this compared to the 'christian'
armies which have automatic and semiautomatic weapons amongst their
arsenal.
There is a 100% active Jihad which includes women and children (some as
young as eight) led by Br Abu Bakr Wahid. He was a former shopkeeper whos
property was destroyed and I presume he was elected upon the grounds of his
honesty / integrity etc. [Our team had the fortune to meet him -
alhamdulillah he is a very sincere brother]
There are differing estimate to the numbers of mujahideen active ranging
from 300,000 to 500,000 depending on who you ask Howeverthere are some
60,000 individuals who are physically ready and actively protecting the
lands.
*************************
EXAMPLES OF ATROCITIES
*************************
I have used the world 'christian' above in brackets extremely loosely as
the actions these 'animals' have taken are an insult to Jesus (pbuh) and
are about as close to the teachngs of Jesus (pbuh) as Hanibal Lecter (from
the movie Silence of the Lambs) is to being a 'good samaratian'. There are
many many acts of sickening vulgarity, however I will mention just three.
ONE: A muslimah was in a mosque, where she was held down, and her breasts
were cut of (while she was alive) and 'thrown around'. She was then killed.
- I have a photograph of her remains.
TWO: A six year old boy was decapitated (his head cut off). I have a photo
of his remains however the doctors sewed his head back on for the photo.
THREE: Another child (his age is unclear but around 5/7 years old) had his
left hand hit constantly with large blunt objects, so much so that his hand
became literally 'flat'
These and many other atrocities have taken place in the name of
'christianity' and as anyone who has knowledge of the Christian faith -
even though it is so far away from the teachings of Jesus (pbuh) - NONE of
these actions can be found or endorsed by anything thatis contained in the
bible. Thus these people cannot dare to claim to be christians for they are
nothing more than barbarians - and may God destroy such vulgar people,
ameen.
******************************
THE MUSLIMS SUCCESS SO FAR
******************************
The code for fighting in Islam is very clear, women and children cannot be
killed or harmed. And torture and mutilation are also forbidden. It is for
this reason that many of the 'christians' after seeing the Muslims fight
have reverted to Islam. By the Mercy of God there are some 4,000+ converts
on the Islands.
In the Muslim stronghold Island of Ternate - Nightclubs have been shut
down. Alcoholic beverages have been forbidden. And prostitution has been
driven off the Island. This Island is perhaps in the first stages of
demonstrating the first Muslim province in the region - controlled entirely
by the Muslims.
It is interesting to note that when the colonialists left the Islands they
attached to each Island a Sultan. The Sultan of Ternate has 4 wives, 3
christian and 1 muslim. Technically these Sultans can do nothing of their
own as each Island also has its own legislative authority i.e. governor. In
essence it is a similar relation to what we have in England with the Queen
and Parliment - a token gesture. What has however been achieved is partial
disunity among the people for when a Sultan is allocated to each Island he
will preferto follow his own opinions and conflict with those of other
Islands - in this way there has been partial disunity amongst the Muslims.
*****************************************
THE CONTINUED MISSIONARY ONSLAUGHT
*****************************************
In places such as Manado (Sulawesi) where there is a 50:50 Muslim:Christian
split, but for every 1 mosque there are countless churches. [We drove down
one street and in the space of about 300 meters there were 5 churches, 2
already built, one in the process of being built] One of the tactics
emplyed (outside of the city) is that while the Adzhan (call to prayer) for
fajr (morning prayer) is made the churches begin lengthy speaches to try
and attract the attention of the Muslims. Although in my first nights stay
in Manado (in transit) I was unable to understand what was being said, the
very fact that such a thing occured was very disturbing. And I cant help
but wonder about the location population who are having this put upon them
every day of their lives. The oddest part was that one of the speaches was
'sung' in tune with the British national anthem - now I do not know whether
that was intentional or coincidence - it was however very annoying.
*********************************************
THE RESULT OF THE MISSIONARY ONSLAUGHTS
*********************************************
The Islands now have an attitude where Muslims and Christians are in
continued clashes. One hates the other and vice versa. The problem is that
the majoriy of individuals are uneducated and so begin to abuse the faith
of another. For example you will see slogans / graffitti on the walls
insulting Jesus (pbuh) - however Jesus (pbuh) is a Prophet of Islam - and
thus we cannot abuse him.
The missionaries have thus been successful to confuse even the simplest of
peoples and making them by action recurring statements which are
borderline, so much so as to damage their faith - and may Allah (swt)
forgive us all and guide us ameen.
The crisis reached such a point that when I arrived at Yellow stone island
(a boat ride away from Ambon) I was immediatedly surrounded by a group of
youths who were of the opinion that I was Christian - with a view to
attacking me. Thankfully I was with the local representative of the ONLY
active Charity in the area who knew the locals and was able to explain to
them that I was a Muslim.
[Their view may have been fuelled by the fact that I was the first
'foreigner' to set foot on the Island for many years, though I have to say
usually when I go to the US I am stopped and searched at immigration as I
fit the profile of a young Muslim. This is the first time I have ever been
mistaken for a christian - and may God protect us all from such fitnah,
ameen.]
**************
THE REFUGEES
**************
There are three main areas of immediate concern.
The first group are those based in Ternate (island). They are those who
fled various locations after the initial Christian attacks - which began
with a firebomb at fajr time in a mosque. [I have photos of this series of
events and locations] This group left for Ternate where they informed the
local Muslims that the Christians were attacking them - so the local
Muslims decided to ask the local Christians to leave the Island. The
majority of them left without any conflict however a handful decided to
attack the Muslims. Once removed from the Island, the refugess,
approximatly 78,000 began to live in former Christian homes, nightclubs,
bars, and any other property that has become available. The needs of these
refugees are barely being met by the Indonesian government, who are
provideing some staple supplies such as rice - however such supplies are
limited (which is ironical given the wealthy nature of the Indonesia state
in terms of mobile resources).
The second group are those whom I found on Yellow stone Island. Officially
the army are neutral and the flighting is between locals. This group of
refugess have taken shelter in the shade of a military base. They have
basic food stuffs, water supply etc however they have nothing to do. The
children (young girls) spend their day playing volleyball / netball. And
the younger children who try and gain an education in preschool /
kindergarden - are hindered as there are no books with which to teach them.
[Of which I have photos] This group of refugees, although they are
guarnteed some degree of safety and it is suggested that they are free to
travel to their homes if they wish, they prefer to live on base as they
fear for their lives.
The final group I encountered were in Ambon - the much reported capital of
the location. The city is divided with a 70:30 Christian:Muslim split. It
is an ACTIVE war zone (3 hours after my flight left, a mini war broke out).
The arirport in Ambon is located in the Christian part of town, and the
only way to the Muslim areas is via boat. The Muslims are surrounded on all
sides by Christians. There are many thousands of people living in the
Muslim side of Ambon, yet there are NO medical facilities aside from those
of PKPU - the local NGO. The main hospital of Ambon is located in the
Christian area, with the Muslim area having a small maternity hospital. Its
usefullness is demonstrated when we consider that PKPO are in fact
supplying the materinity hospital with medical supplies - where resources
are near depletion.
All in all, throughout the Islands there are estimated to be some 100,000+
refugees - some with, some without shelter.
One group of refugees, constituting an entire village of 800 people (160
families) are now living in what seems to be a large warehouse. [Of which I
have photos] This is typical - especially in areas where whole villages
have been destroyed.
One of the youths was asked, 'do you have christian friends'. His reply was
in the formative. He was then asked 'what would you do if you met them?' He
replied, kill them. We now have a very large and confusing problem. In
these Islands it is simply a case of Muslim vs Christian. Thanks to the
missionaries, there is no understanding of what either group represents
(i.e. their faith) and there is no appreciation of the facts of the
situation. For while one group of Christians may be hostile to the Muslims
another group are entirely oblivious to such things (as demonstrated on
other Islands). The situation will worsen and become compounded unless the
individuals are granted education of their rights and the rights of others.
Yes, these people have every rightto fight for their own property - from
which they have been evicted. At the same time care must be taken to ensure
that we do NOT 'transgress bounds' set by God. (One example of this may be
seen from the story of Shaheeds - which is to follow)
The crisis of Ambon can clearly be seen when you consider the photographic
evidence. One scene depicts the remains of a building in the foregrouns
with two buildings in the background remaing upright. The Muslim one being
reduced to ashes, yet the Christian ones, next to it remaining 100% in
tact. This form of selective destruction is reflective of the planned
nature of the attacks.
Photographs have been collected of the refugees, the medical center, a new
proposed medical center (for which funding is sought), victims of the
atrocities, military checkpoints (showing the strength of security in the
area) as well as destroyed property on both the Muslim and Christian sides.
**********
SECURITY
**********
There is considerable tension between the Muslims and christians. Many
Christians thought I was Muslim because of my appearance, but at the same
time many Muslims thought I was Christian - again because of my appearance.
Its a no win situation.
On two occassions my life was directly threatened.
1. The instant with the youths who thought I was chrirstian as detailed
above
2. When visiting the leader of the Mujahideen (on a seperate Island) 30
Indonesian soilders arrived at the same mosque unexpectedly. I, having a
different physical makeup, sneaked out the side.
[We attended prayers in various mosques in different locations. And given
my differing appearance, wherever I went people would always stare at me
(hence the security risk I posed to our group)]
On many occassions we were followed.
1. I noticed individuals from Singapore following us to Manado, then from
Manado to Ternate - but they then 'dissapeared'
2. By coincidence two individuals, very well spoken were staying at the
same small hotel we stayed in our first night in Ternate - coincidence or
planned, God knows best.
3. Various encounters with well versed speakers of english which is
extremely uncommon especially in the places we went to, who questioned who
we were and why we were there
4. On my way out of Ternate at the airport I was approached by a man who
began talking about Jihad and wanting to join the mujahideen - undoubtedly
his motives were questionable - which was supported by the fact that one of
PKPU's employees came into the waiting area after a few minutes (to escort
me to the plane i.e. to make sure I got off the island in one piece) and
that man who was speaking to me 'dissapeared'
All in all, if you look as if you are a non Indonesian / Malay - you have
to be extremely careful when travelling in this country especially to the
places where I went. Thankfully by the Grace of God I joined MERCY's team
who has contact with PKPU who aided the stay considerably.
***************
WHO ARE PKPU
***************
PKPU (Posko Keadilan Peduli Ummat) is the NGO operating in the region with
representatives in Ambon, Jakarta, Ternate and Manado. It is this group of
individuals who are curently being assessed for their organisational
stability as well as resourcefulness to allocating resources in a
constructive manner acceptable to international standards. They provided
our team with both guides, and provisions incluing arrangements to visit
the various locations where they operate.
They have an active set up but their resources are stretched and they need
immediate funding.
Funds HAVE been collected in the form of a HUMANITARIAN FUND and a major
international drive is in the process of being launched - this will be
subject to the study of Mr Mahdzir who is also on a fact finding misssion.
Working in collaboration it is hoped that sufficient funds may be raised to
meet the medical needs of the refugees as well as the locals who have few
provisions, as well as looking after the needs of anyone else who needs
medical attention.
********************
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
********************
1. The Prophet (pbuh) said, the prayer most likely to be answered is that
made for a stranger - and God knows best. So God willing, pray for those in
need.
2. A contribution can be made to the Humanitaran Fund - I am awaiting
confirmation of their account details and will pass them on if required.
3. We need to launch a website similar to the one set up for Chechnya
www.qoqaz.com , people need to be aware of what is happening.
This is a brief summary, and may God forgive us all our weaknesses and
increase us in knowledge and understanding amen.
Wassalamu'alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarokaatuh
(DI-09/05/00)
Source : TERNATE POS, 2-8 MEI
