Jayapura (Fides Service) - While confusion and tension persist in the Indonesia province of West Papua, (Irian Jaya), local religious leaders have once again proved their willingness to work to promote peace. During a celebration earlier this month to mark 149 years of evangelisation in Papua, Christian, Muslim and Buddhist personalities gathered with civil and military leaders and thousands of people to reaffirm shared commitment to promoting dialogue and reconciliation.
Herman Saud, spokesman for Protestant Churches in Papua said: “The people do not need martial law or emergency measures. Problems can be solved by putting reciprocal esteem, respect for human rights and the Gospel values at the basis of our daily life ”. Hussein Uzbeir, speaking for the local Muslim Ulema said “we all want Papua to be a land of peace”. To demonstrate their common desire for peace at the end of the meeting peace lamps were lit by the religious leaders, the army chief, the provincial governor and all the people present.
Bishop Leo Laba Ladjar, Bishop of Jayapura, one of the organisers, told Fides: “The meeting launched a clear sign to all those who think violence is the solution. We hope our common commitment and desire for peace will be noted by everyone, the people, separatist groups, political leaders and those watching events from Jakarta. We hope they will realise that Papuans want peace and they support dialogue. We are very grateful to the civil and military leaders for attending the event.”.
In 2003 in Papua there was disorder after the central government of Indonesia divided the region into provinces and the locally deployed army troops used more violence. Moreover a suggestion from the Indonesian Parliament that a civil emergency law should be applied to the region gave rise to adamant protests at all levels.
(PA) (27/2/2004 Agenzia Fides 27/2/2004 lines 35 word 385)