Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ambon (Agenzia Fides) - The tension in Ambon heightens again, on the Molucca islands: after clashes between Muslims and Christians on Sunday, September 11 (see Fides 12/09/2011), the government has allocated through the streets of the city more than 400 military with tanks, to separate the two communities. Meanwhile even in the capital Jakarta questions about alleged collusion between police and insurgents, as well as groups of provocateurs who want to "fan the flames of holy war " circulate. "Certain political groups want to trigger a conflict and exploit it for their own interests. We do not want the innocent people of the Moluccas to still pay for these power games" underlined the Bishop of Amboina, Mgr. Petrus Canisius Mandagi to Fides.
Fr. Benny Suseyto, Director of the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue in the Episcopal Conference of Indonesia, remarks to Fides "non-violent action of Christian and Muslim volunteers who are supporting the police and creating a 'belt of peace' in Ambon, to divide the Christian area from the Muslim world, protecting communities and preventing further violence". "There was a prompt and efficient response on behalf of religious leaders and citizens of good will. The people want peace and harmony, despite the provocateurs", said Fr. Suseyto.
A reliable source of Fides in the Indonesian Church notes that "the model of the conflict in Ambon follows that of the civil war in 1999: there are many militants who have come from outside the Moluccas and weapons in their possession come from the arsenals of the army. This raises many suspicions". With regards to the political games behind the new "holy war", the source of Fides notes: "there is an attempt to divert public attention from the great problems that the government faces, such as scandals concerning corruption". To resolve the conflict in the Moluccas, he concludes, "it is urgent to address the open issues: Muslims and Christians both have claims on land and property which were 'frozen' after the 1999 conflict.These issues need to be unblocked, working in full legality. Religious harmony will then follow". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/09/2011)
