Indonesia: Jihad in Indonesia, Page 3

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"Persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Cor. 4:9

	The Laskar Jihad burned this Christian university in June 2000.

Indonesia (continued)

The Laskar Jihad is an Islamic extremist group that is calling for an all-out holy war against Christians. As indicated in a guidebook written by Laskar Jihad leader, Ja'far Umar Thalib, the group believes there is a worldwide conspiracy to undermine Islam, both in Indonesia and elsewhere: "The hostility by the Jews and Christians toward Islam began at the time Allah's prophet was sent. This condition continues until the end of this age, even now since this group (Jews and Christians) is led by USA, the winner of the cold war. This war was always covered up by all kinds of camouflage to make it look as if it were not a religious war. The truth of the fact is, it is a war against Islam and all Muslims."

The group blames the West and Indonesia's current democratic regime for all of the problems plaguing the nation. They present jihad as the solution to all of the country's woes and invite all true Muslims to participate in jihad, thus liberating their country from the influence of the "infidel West." They feed their fanaticism by demonizing Christians, thus instigating hatred and fear from the local Muslim community. The Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina has documented several instants in which the Laskar Jihad disseminated false information to arouse their supporters. As long as this group continues to induce hatred against Christians, it seems the violence will continue unabated.

The situation in Maluku remains grim as we enter the first quarter of 2001. The violence may well have ended months ago if it were not for the pledge of the Laskar Jihad to wage a holy war against Christians until they can claim the entire Maluku province for Islam. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country. However, the population of Maluku was split 50/50 by Muslims and Christians before the present violence began. The table below highlights the most horrible atrocities that occurred in Maluku during the year 2000.

Summary of Persecution in Maluku During 2000

• 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.
• 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.
• May 25-26, 2000 - At least 34 people were killed when a band of Muslims launched a seaborne raid on a Christian village in the remote Galela district on the island of Halmahera.
• May 30, 2000 - At least 50 Christian villagers were massacred in a predawn raid carried out by the Laskar Jihad on the island of Halmahera. More than 100 others were injured in the raid.
• June 19-20, 2000 - Between 160 and 180 Christians were killed when a large force of Muslim fighters attacked Duma village 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.
• 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 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.
• 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 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 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.
• 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.

(Click here for more information on Indonesia.)

Continued on Page 4... 

POSTED:  February 17, 2001

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