International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941
Washington DC 20006-1846
www.www.persecution.org
Email: icc@www.persecution.org
Worshippers slain by Islamic Terrorists during Church Service
For Immediate Release
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(12/03/03) The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) www.www.persecution.org has just become aware of the details of a recent attack on Christians in Poso, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Poso, the scene of tremendous Christian suffering the last few years is becoming more and more violent. It looks like a run up to a major attack on the Christians.
The attacks are growing in frequency and intensity. A recent example is a Nov. 30th attack on a congregation in Tabamawo (about 70 miles east of Poso). Two men rode up to the church on motorcycles. Came to the church door and assassinated two men and wounded three others.
The Christians had been in a prayer service. They were praying for the Indonesian Government and for peace in the land when the terrorists broke in and started firing. Two men, Ruslam (32) and Arifin (28) died on the spot. They were shot several times each, in front of the congregation and their families, leaving their young wives and children in shock. Another man, Moda (37) was shot in the face and and back is fighting for his life. Two others were wounded and survived, Sandra Tengker, the pastors wife and Yulmin (23).
Another attack occurred just fifteen minutes earlier at 7.15 pm, 110 miles away to the west, on the other side of Poso, reports Ferdinand Saerang of Poso Watch. Kilo Trans was attacked during evening prayers at the local church by 20 well-armed and well-trained gunmen shooting wildly into the houses, he said. Two men died, two others were wounded. There would have been more victims but the majority of the village was in Church praying.
ICC urges American Christians to pray fervently for Poso and Central Sulawesi. Pray that peace would prevail and that Muslims there would cease from killing Christians.
ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC delivers humanitarian aid, trains and supports persecuted pastors, raises awareness in the US Church regarding the problem of persecution, and is an advocate for the persecuted on Capitol Hill and the State Department. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.
