CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 – Ambon 97124 – Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
E-mail: crisiscentre01@hotmail.com
Ambon, April 17, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS – Report No. 262
1. VISIT OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS – A nine member team of religious leaders
came to Ambon on April 15 and will leave today. Members of the team include Deputy
Minister for Social Affairs Syarul Udjud SH, Chairman of the NU (Nahdathul Ulama)
Kyai Haji Hasyim Muzadi, Chairman of the PGI (National Association of Protestant
Churches) A.A. Yewangoe, Representative of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference Fr.
Ignatius Ismartono SJ and the Secretary of the Department for Religious Affairs
H.Faizal Ismael. They had meetings with the Christians, with the Muslims and with
both conflicting parties together. Some relevant subject! s that were dealt with
included:
(1) Explaining the purpose of their coming to the Moluccas, i.e. assisting the National
and Provincal Governments to enhance the implementation of the Moluccas
Agreement of Malino.
(2) Much to the relief of the Christians, Chairman of the NU (Nahdathul Ulama), Kyai
Haji Hasyim Muzadi, acknowledged that those that support the RMS (South
Moluccas Independency Movement) in the Moluccas are just a handfull of Christians.
The vast majority of Christians in the Moluccas – he said – were unquestionably
opposed to the RMS. During the meeting with the Christians he promised to spread
this fact everywhere, in order to free the Christians from false perceptions among the
Muslims both in the Moluccas and elsewhere in Indonesia.
He urged all Muslims, especially the NU members, to abstain from any violence and
to accept wholeheartedly the Molcucas Agreement of Malino.
He told the press that he will send a number of Da'i-s to the Moluccas. A Da'i is a
specialist in matters of dakwah, which means propagation of the faith. They will help
the Muslims in matters of mental rehabilitation. Minister A.A.Yewangoe confirmed
that the PGI (National Association of Protestant Churches) will do the same if
requested by the GPM (Protestant Christian Church of the Moluccas).
(3) The Secretary of the Department for Religious Affairs, Prof.Dr. H.Faizal Ismael,
declared that they had been informed on the existence of a small group that rejects
the Moluccas Agreement of Malino, most of whom are to be found among employees
of the Department for Religious Affairs and among STAIN (Muslim Academy for
Religion) components. They will be called by the Minister of Religious Affairs for
further schooling – he said.
2. CRIMINALITY – Market business near the large Amans Hotel at the
Christian-Muslim border of Mardika-Batumerah is decreasing since these last few
days on three occasions a total of four persons have been murdered in the area.
3. BIMM – For the perfectionists among us: BIMM stands for “Badan Immarat
Muslim Maluku”. It was established at the Great Muslim Conference which was held
in Ambon from 19 to 22 June, 2001 (see Report 191). It is meant to unite the various
Muslim organisations and factions in the Moluccas. Recently we asked the aging and
most amiable caretaking MUI chairman Kyai Haji Polpoke what exactly is the
meaning of “Immarat”. Immarat (or Immarah or Amaran), he answered, means:
regulations, command, order to fulfill. Thus BIMM is short for “Association that
manages/coordinates the Muslims of the Moluccas”.
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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