Indonesia--Christian Persecution in Indonesia
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International Christian Concern |
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Asia: IndonesiaCountry Report Last Updated: October 2002 Code: B-2 |
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(Click here for a list of ICC articles on Indonesia.) |
COUNTRY STATISTICS
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Area: 1,919,440 sq km |
Languages: Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch |
Religious Atmosphere:
Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim country in terms of the number of adherents. Eighty-eight percent of Indonesia’s people are Muslim and almost 60% of these are Javanese Muslims who practice a very unorthodox version of Islam mixed with mysticism and Buddhism. However, the number of Islamic extremists is growing. The Christian community is 5% Protestant and 3% Roman Catholic. Tension between Muslims and Christians is present throughout Indonesia but is mostly concentrated in the Maluku province (formerly called the Spice Islands) where Muslim and Christian populations are roughly equal.
Government:
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All residents of Indonesia must choose one of the five government-recognized religions (Islam, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Buddhism or, Hinduism). Their religious affiliation is then marked on all official documents, including an identification card. |
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A 1969 regulation dictates that the agreement of the local community must be obtained before building a house of worship. A permit must also be obtained from the Ministry of Religion. As a result of these laws, Christians in Muslim-dominated areas have difficulty in obtaining permission to build churches. |
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The law allows conversion between religions. However, proselytizing in areas heavily dominated by another religion is discouraged because it is seen as disruptive. |
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Recently religiously oriented political parties, illegal under the Soeharto regime, have become legal again. Muslim parties won 30% of the vote while Christian parties did not fair well. |
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Many members of Indonesia’s armed forces have helped militant Muslims in their goal of ridding the country of Christians. |
Extremist Groups:
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Laskar Jihad (Holy War Army) -- a self-styled army of Islamic "warriors" who are waging a "holy war" against Christians. The army is mostly composed of veterans from Bosnia and Afghanistan along with students from local Muslim schools. |
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Muslim Ahlus-Sunnah Wal Jama’ah Forum – a paramilitary group which claims its role is to help fellow Muslims, not attack Christians. The group has, in fact, been involved in violent acts but claims they were in self-defense. |
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Indonesian Committee for Worldwide Islamic Solidarity (KISDI) |
Recent Actions:
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Ongoing - Several people have been killed or injured by land mines on Ambon island since the April 2002 attack on Soya village. |
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September 2002 - The Barnabas Fund reported that 17 churches in Aceh province have been closed this month. Aceh implemented Islamic sharia law in March 2002. Though sharia is supposed to apply only to Muslims, Christian women have been forced to conform to Islamic dress. |
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September 10, 2002 - Rev. Rinaldy Damanik, a Christian pastor from Tentena, was arrested after going to Jakarta to testify about the recent violence in central Sulawesi. Local authorities have been attempting to arrest Rev. Damanik for several weeks but were prevented by the Christian community. Damanik is accused of having ammunition and weapons in his car while trying to evacuate people from Peleru during August. He is also accused of stirring up violence in the region. Rev. Damanik denies all charges. The Christian community reports that Damanik has been a major advocate for peace in the community and has discouraged Christians from retaliating violently to the attacks against them. |
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September 8, 2002 - A Christian was burned to death when a mob of angry Muslims began throwing stones and burning vehicles in the Galunggung neighborhood of Ambon. The Muslims were retaliating for the murder of three Muslim young women who were killed on the beach of Saparua island. It is not known who killed the women, but Christians from a nearby village were blamed. (CCDA, AP) |
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September 6, 2002 - Two churches were closed and sealed in Cikarang Barat, West Java. At least six other churches in West Java were reportedly closed in recent months, all due to complaints from local Muslims who objected to a Christian presence in their area. (Barnabas Fund) |
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September 5, 2002 - A bomb exploded at the Lapangan Merdeka field in Ambon, killing at least three young women and injuring several others. Victims were both Muslims and Christians. (CCDA) |
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August 31, 2002 - Three people, including two Americans, were killed in Irian Jaya (Papua). A dozen other people were injured as a convoy of cars was attacked by unknown assailants on the road between Timika and Tembagapura. Papuan separatists have been blamed. However, the weaponry used in the attack suggests the participation of Indonesian security forces. Those killed were teachers at the Tembaga Pura International School. Christians in Irian Jaya report an influx of jihad warriors, including the presence of several Pakistanis and Afghanis in the area. A large-scale attack is believed to be imminent. (WEA) |
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August 15, 2002 - Two more Christian villages in the Tentena area of central Sulawesi were attacked by Islamic extremists. Fifty militants attacked the village of Manyomba. The army tried to hold them off but could not match their sophisticated weaponry. During this attack a 3-year-old Christian child was strangled to death. An additional three people were shot when jihad warriors attacked the village of Taliwan. In this case the military was able to stop the attack before more damage could be done. |
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August 12, 2002 - Jihad warriors attacked the village of Sepe, razing all of the homes and churches. The village had recently been rebuilt after suffering a similar attack last December. This time, however, Christian men were not able to hold off the attackers who had more sophisticated weapons. The Christians, wielding machetes, sickles, and sharpened bamboo, were driven out of the village by Muslims with automatic weapons. The jihad warriors then moved on the village of Silanca, which was also similarly attacked and destroyed. Brimob (special forces) assigned to protect the Christians had pulled out of the area on August 10, possibly with the complicity of the Laskar Jihad. |
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August 11, 2002 - A Christian driving from Palu to Poso was stopped at a Muslim roadblock in Kayamanya, Poso City. Upon discovering that he was a Christian, a Muslim mob murdered him. On the same day a bus traveling between Makassar and Gorontalo was hijacked. It was reported that four Christians were killed and their bodies were thrown from the bus near Kayamanya. |
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August 9, 2002 - The villages of Malei and Tongko in central Sulawesi were attacked by jihad warriors. All of the Christian homes were burned down and at least one man was killed. Another man, who is deaf and could not hear the attackers, has disappeared. It is not known if he is dead or alive. |
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August 8, 2002 - Mr. Laurenso, an Italian tourist, was shot and killed at 9pm this evening by jihad terrorists. He and his girlfriend were on the Batutumongga Bus traveling from Toraja to Tentena when it was attacked by jihad terrorists. Five passengers were shot, four were wounded, Mr. Laurenso died. Attacks by jihad terrorists have increased and as a direct result, several thousand more refugees have fled Tentena. The Indonesian government still has done very little to crack down on the terrorists. |
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August 7, 2002 - Jihad forces are closing in on the Christian Community of Ranoncu Bridge. The Ranoncu Bridge is the last defense keeping the jihad forces out of Tentena, where 65,000 Christians live. Last year close to this location the Christians and military forces employed be President Megawati and successfully stopped the jihad forces in an intense six hour battle. Many Christian men are coming from Tentena with homemade weapons to help fight what may be thousands of jihad soldiers. |
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August 4, 2002 - Matako Village, 32 km east of Paso, was attacked by about 80-100 jihad terrorists in the early morning hours. Dressed in ninja style clothing, the jihads burned the homes of several Christians and damaged at least two churches. Villagers fled their homes and are staying at the nearby village of Silanca. There are now rumors that Silanca will soon be attacked. For fear that the rest of their village will be razed by the jihads, the men have returned to guard the village. |
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July 27, 2002 - A bomb exploded at the alternative marketplace in the Christian neighborhood of Mardika in Ambon. At least 53 people were injured, including three babies. It is not known who was responsible. All of the victims are believed to be Protestant Christians. (CCDA) |
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July 27, 2002 - Mr. Erasmu Turege was shot dead near the village of Mamuya, in the Tobelo area of North Maluku. He was killed by a "ninja-like person." A teenage boy was able to escape the attacker. (CCDA) |
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July 25, 2002 - Jafar Umar Thalib, head of the militant Laskar Jihad group, was released from prison. |
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July 22, 2002 - Three Christians were seriously wounded by gunshots. Mr. William Rapalino, Mr. Rindu Lasampa, and Mrs. Norce Bungge were working in the rice fields in the village of Mayoa, near Pendolo, Central Sulawesi, when they were attacked by armed jihad warriors. Later the same day, two relatives traveling to visit the wounded Christians were confronted by angry Muslims near the village of Pandajaya. One of the men was able to escape while the other, Mr. S. Kedua, was beaten, burned with cigarettes, and slashed with a machete. By the grace of God he was able to escape with his life. |
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July 12, 2002 - Ten Christians heading for the village of Ruko, near Tobelo, were attacked by a mob of 300 Muslims. The Christians were cut by machete knives as they drove their vehicle past the army post controlled by the Brawijaya 512 military unit. The same day Christians in Tolonuo village were threatened and fled to Tobelo. Their houses were then looted and destroyed by Muslim mobs. The Christians reported that in both incidences the Brawijaya 512 did nothing to help. They fear that unless this unit is replaced, there will be a full-scale attack on the Christians of Tobelo. |
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July 11, 2002 - The village of Garua, near Tobelo on Halmahera island, was attacked by jihad warriors shouting "Allahu Akbar." Several homes were completely destroyed and other buildings were damaged. The Christian residents of the village were forced to flee to Tobelo. |
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June 5, 2002 - Four people, including a Pentecostal pastor, were killed when a hidden bomb exploded on a bus traveling from Palu to Tentena in Central Sulawesi. Another bomb on the bus failed to explode. 17 people were injured. All passengers on board the bus were Christians. |
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May 25, 2002 - A speedboat full of Christians was shot at by two smaller speedboats as it traveled between West Seram and Saparua. Four people were killed instantly and 12 others were injured. One of the injured later died from gunshot wounds. (CCDA) |
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May 12, 2002 - Angry Muslims confronted a group of Christians from the Diponegoro-Atas/Manggadua neighborgoods who were cutting down trees in order to better their view of nearby jihad posts. Military members fired in the air to scare off the Muslims, when one of them threw a bomb and injured a military officer. The Muslims were then arrested before anymore damage could be done. It was believed by their appearance that several of them were jihad warriors (CCDA). |
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May 6, 2002 – Unknown assailants attempted to dock their boats along the shore near the Christian villages of Amahusu and Eri around 4am. Upon being discovered by security forces and shot at, they shot off all the ammunition in their weapons and fled the scene. (CCDA) |
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May 4, 2002 - Jafar Umar Thalib, head of the Laskar Jihad, was arrested in Surabaya and taken to the police headquarters in Jakarta. He is accused of provoking violence against Christians and insulting government leaders. (BBC, CNSNews) |
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April 28, 2002 - Black-clad Muslims wielding swords and guns attacked Christian residents of the village of Soya, near Ambon, at around 4am. At least 12 people were killed and 6 more were injured during the attack. Thirty Christian homes and the Protestant church were burned down. The attack came only days after Laskar Jihad leader, Jafar Umar Thalib, called for the Muslims in Ambon to wage war on Christians. (AP, CCDA) |
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April 25, 2002 - Muslims angered by the raising of the RMS (a Christian separatist group) flag in Ambon exploded a bomb at the Silo Protestant church in Ambon, causing a fire to the scaffolding being used by crews reconstructing the church, which was previously destroyed during conflicts in Ambon. (CCDA) |
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April 4, 2002 - At least five people were reported dead and 57 injured when a bomb exploded in front of a restaurant in the Christian center of Ambon. The restaurant, nearby shops, and the Amboina Hotel were all damaged by the bomb, which was thrown by someone passing in a Toyota Kijang who quickly drove out of sight. (CCDA) |
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January 13, 2002 - Over 500 well-armed assailants tried to attack the Christian village of Rutong on Ambon island. The attackers got within 60 meters of the village before being turned back by Brimob officers, military troops, and local citizens. One elderly woman was killed by a stray bullet. (CCDA) |
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December 31, 2001 – Four churches in Palu, Sulawesi were bombed during New Year’s Eve services. An Adventist church, a Presbyterian church, and two Pentecostal churches were targets of the attacks. A police officer was killed while trying to remove a bomb from one of the churches. No other casualties were reported. These attacks are believed to be in retaliation for government obstruction of militant Muslim plans to carry out a “bloody Christmas” in central Sulawesi. |
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December 19, 2001 – Another Christian motorboat, the Haturua, was attacked while passing the Muslim neighborhood of Kapaha/Batumerah. Muslims in a speedboat shot at the Christian passengers, killing 9 of the 11 people on board. One survivor was seriously the injured. The other, a teenager, later reported that marine servicemen carried out the attack. The case is being investigated. (CCDA) |
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December 11, 2001 – Christians traveling to Galala were forced to jump from their motorboat after a bomb exploded somewhere on board. The California was crossing the Bay of Ambon when the explosion occurred. Muslims from Rumahtiga, pretending to help the Christians, reportedly stabbed them with knives and tried to drown them while they were floating in the water. Seven people were confirmed dead and at least 42 were injured. Some Christians reacted violently to this incident by burning down the Legislative Council Building and a marine security post at Galala. (CCDA) |
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December 7, 2001 – An attack was launched on the Christian village of Ewiri. Two people were killed, three were wounded, and many houses were looted or destroyed. The Protestant church also came under attack. Residents of the village were forced to flee into the jungle. (CCDA) |
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December 4, 2001 – Over 2000 jihad warriors attempted to attack the city of Tentena, on the island of Sulawesi but were turned back when five truckloads of military soldiers arrived at Tentena for protection. The government of Indonesia has deployed 4000 more military troops to the Poso area in the order to drive anyone without a valid reason from the country. |
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December 1, 2001 – The Christian village of Sepe on the island of Sulawesi fell to Laskar Jihad warriors. The Muslims looted and burned the village to the ground. |
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November 30, 2001 – Jihad warriors attacked the villages of Betalemba, Patiwunga, Tangkura, Sanginora, and Debua, and forced the Sulawesi villagers into refugee status. |
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November 28, 2001 – Almost 2000 Laskar Jihad warriors arrived on the island of Sulawesi equipped with automatic rifles, bombs, and gasoline tanker trucks in an effort to burn and destroy Christian villages. It is documented that Afghans and Pakistanis are training the warriors. Previous attacks against Christian villages drove 63,000 refugees into the Christian City of Tentena, which is the next target of the jihad warriors. The community of Tentena has appealed to the UN for intervention because of the failure of their government for protection. |
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November 15, 2001 – Unknown assailants murdered 43-year-old La Hadi on a bridge of the Christian neighborhood of Mardika, severely hit on his head and stabbed several times. (CCDA) |
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November 13, 2001 – Muslim jihad warriors, armed with automatic rifles, attacked a water taxi traveling from a Christian suburb to the city of Ambon, murdering Johanis Latupapua, E. Pelmelay, and an unknown female, and injuring five people, including 42-year-old Mrs. Agustina Lawalata and her 20-year-old daughter Natalia Lawalata. (JP) |
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November 12, 2001 – A package-bomb dropped at an electronics store on Said Perintah Street in the town-center of Ambon exploded and killed Christian shop-owner, 55-year-old Mrs. Paulina Shong Ling, her 29-year-old son Roby Thebez, and injured 19 others. (CCDA) |
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November 12, 2001 – Local Muslims burned a minibus on the Galunggung road on route to Ambon, threatened 11 passengers, and injured a Christian and an Indonesian soldier. (CCDA) |
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November 9, 2001 – Two members of Mujahidin Kompak, a 17-year-old and a 20-year-old, tossed a series of bombs and nails through the Petra Church in North Jakarta during an evening prayer service. The bombs destroyed several of the church windows. There are no reported casualties among the 400 in attendance. The attack aimed to kill minister Diana Akyuwen, who led her people to safety across a high mountain after their village of Waal was destroyed by jihad warriors. (JC) |
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November 7-10, 2001 – Jihad warriors advanced on the areas of Ranononcu and Lembomawo, District of Poso, in an effort to reach the city of Tentena, killed several defending Christians, and injured several defending Christians. |
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November 5-7, 2001 – Jihad warriors demolished the Christian villages of Malitu and Pantongolemba in the Poso coastal areas and forced the Christians to evacuate and build blockades for Tangkura and Ranonocu. |
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November 5, 2001 – Muslim mobs in the neighborhoods of Galunggung and Batumerah threw stones and bullets at four Christian passenger cars on route from Galala to Ambon, breaking windows, damaging cars, and injuring 30-year-old Mrs. Vonny Sandra in her hip. (CCDA) |
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November 5, 2001 – A truckload of jihad warriors on route to the Christian village of Sepe disguised as jilbab-head covered women were uncovered by the military guard of Tagolu. The military also found bombs, guns, and rifles in the truck. The military sent the jihad warriors back to the village of Buyung Katedo. |
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November 5, 2001 – Jihad warriors advanced into the Christian village of Sepe, but the Christians held ground, regrouped, and resisted the attack. |
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November 4, 2001 – Around 7:00 am a jihad terrorist set fire to several huts in the garden market of the Christian village of Sepe, in the county of Lage, District of Poso. |
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November 2, 2001 – In the early morning, Laskar Jihad warriors destroyed a church and almost every home in the Christian village of Malitu, near Poso. They displaced the villagers, who fled into the jungles. |
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November 1, 2001 – Hundreds of Laskar Jihad warriors stormed into the Christian village of Waimulang on Buru island at 7 am, raided and burned 222 homes, displaced thousands of Christian villagers, destroyed two churches and a dispensary. Four Christians and an Indonesian Army soldier were slain in the attack. Two Christians were seriously wounded. (JP) |
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November 1, 2001 – Jihad terrorists murdered four Christians during an unofficial ID-Card “check-point,” on the road from Poso to Palu in Central Sulawesi. |
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November 1, 2001 – Several hundred jihad warriors attacked the Christian villages of Tomata, Pinedapa, and Kasiuncu, burned most of the homes, destroyed many churches, and murdered three Christians as well as injuring many other Christians. |
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November 1, 2001 – The Christian Crisis Center of GKST Chuches, along with local people in the city of Tentena commenced the search for displaced Christians hiding in the jungles. So far two youths from Betania and one from Malitu were declared missing, and 40-year-old Nandia was found wounded, shot in the left hip. |
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October 31, 2001 – About 500 jihad warriors attacked the Christian village of Malitu and burned down 150 homes, displacing the villagers into the jungles of Tangkura and Pandiri. |
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October 30, 2001 – Between 1:00 am and 2:00 am jihad warriors attacked the Christian villages of Ratolene and Pinedapa. In Ratolene they burned down the church and in Pinedapa they destroyed the homes of the Christian villagers. |
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October 23, 2001 – Jafar Umar Thalib, a leader of the Laskar Jihad, broadcasted against Muslims who supported reconciliation, stating that “war would not be over until Muslims could celebrate Idul Fitr [feast at the end of Ramadan] in Kudamanti, Passo, Saparua, and other Christian locations,” at the Moluccan mosque of Al-Fatah. (CSW) |
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October 22, 2001 – In a protest to the arrest of jihad warriors on route to Tabalu by the Mobile Police Brigade (MPB), other jihad warriors destroyed the guard posts of the MPB in the villages of Betalemba, Ratolene, Mapane, Moengko, and several other villages in the District of Poso. The destruction of the MPB guard posts leaves the Christians without support from the military. |
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October 21, 2001 – About 50 jihad warriors kidnapped an 8-year-old Christian boy from the bus Super Motor on route from Luwuk to Palu after they searched the bus for Christians and found the 8-year-old boy and his mother. |
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October 21, 2001 – Jihad warriors murdered 50-year-old Oni Pakaiya, a Chinese-descent Pentecostal Christian, while he passed through the Muslim city of Toyado. The warriors stopped his van, dragged him outside his vehicle and hacked him to death, leaving a gaping wound in his right eye. The other passengers, his two Muslim friends Vanya and Mokodongan, an Indonesian army soldier, were spared because they were Muslims. |
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October 21, 2001 – A jihad terrorist murdered Christian Ambrosius Reakale and his guard, Indonesian Army soldier Yono while passing through the Muslim village of Toyado on a motorbike. |
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October 21, 2001 – A Muslim mob of jihad warriors threw bombs at the Poso Police Resort yard in protest to the capture of 38 jihad warriors from the battle of Betalemba (see October 20, 2001). The 38 captured warriors were then moved to the Poso Police Station. |
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October 20, 2001 – In an investigation to discover the whereabouts of Mr. Towe Wilelipu (see October 18, 2001) police encountered protests by Muslim women who placed their babies on the asphalt road and threatened to blow them up if police continued the investigation. The police retreated and quit the search. |
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October 20, 2001 – Hundreds of jihad warriors attacked the Christian village Betalemba in the Poso Coastal District, murdered Police officer Ardiansyah and an Indonesian Army soldier, and burned 30 Christian homes in a battle raging from 9:00 pm until October 21, 7:00 am The police and military captured 38 jihad warriors. |
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October 18, 2001 – Jihad warriors burned a church and a church manse in the village of Kabalo, in Tojo County, District of Poso. |
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October 18, 2001 – Jihad warriors kidnapped the former Village Chief of Peleru and husband of Rev. Nety Zion Kalengkongan, Mr. Towe Wilelipu, in the village of Tabalu. He was taken to a jihad headquarters, tortured, cut up and burned. |
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October 18, 2001 – Jihad warriors murdered a Christian man on the passenger bus PO Primadona at a Poso ID-Card “check-point” because his ID-Card claimed he was a Christian. In addition, the passenger buses PO Bunta Ria and Batutumonga were damaged by a Muslim stoning mob near the Kayamana district mosque, and in the town of Tabulu jihad warriors destroyed a jeep occupied by Christians. The fate of the Christians is unknown. |
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October 16, 2001 – Jihad warriors, armed with automatic rifles, burned the Christian refugee barracks in the village of Madale at 3:15 am, murdered 56-year-old Yambi Pio, seriously wounded 70-year-old Lukas Salimp, and displaced 200 people. |
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October 14, 2001 – Jihad warriors, armed with automatic military weapons, destroyed the passenger bus Antariksa on route from Tentena to Palu in the hills of Malaeli-Sausu at 3:00 pm, murdered 22-year-old Nona and injured 8 others. |
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October 12, 2001 – Jihad warriors in the village of Kilo, threw bombs at the passenger bus PO OMEGA on route from Tentena to Palu, damaged the bus and injured several passengers. |
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October 3, 2001 – 700 jihad warriors attacked the town of Peleru on the island of Sulawesi, murdering 10 Christians, burned almost every home, and destroyed the local church. |
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October 1, 2001 – Korontowu jihad warriors attacked the Christian village of Tomata, destroying a church building, the pastor’s house, a school, the teacher’s quarters, 66 homes, and 11 motor bikes. 21-year-old Darma Monina, 30-year-old Esther Paholagu and 40-year-old Yulius Wileliku were murdered by the terrorists. |
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September 23, 2001 – Extremist Indonesian Islamic organizations are rallying support for Osama bin Laden. On Sunday, Abu Bakar Baasir, leader of the Laskar Mujahedeen task force told a gathering, “Bin Laden is fighting for our beliefs, so we must support his struggle if possible. We could help Afghanistan in defending attacks launched by the U.S. government.” |
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September 18, 2001 – An approximated 42,608 refugees from 14 sub-districts in North Malaku have returned home. The group of Christians and Muslims, was displaced 2 years by violent conflicts, but now have agreed to “forge a new brotherhood.” (Jakarta Post) |
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August 7, 2001 – 3,000 members of the Laskar Jihad (Ahlul Sunnah wal Jamaah), led by Ajip Safruddin, are poised to exterminate remaining Christians trapped in central Sulawesi. Laskar Jihad arrived in Palu, the capital of central Sulawesi “to observe the life and condition in Poso.” Ajip was quoted, “we have been called to help our Muslim brothers in Poso after learning that many Muslims had been killed and robbed of their rights.” The Jihad have already dispatched 500 troops with another 2,500 on the way. |
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August 2, 2001 – Tuesday evening, two women were injured at the Christ Alfa Omega Tabernakel Bethel Church when a car bomb exploded in the church parking lot. The wife of Rev. Timotius Subekti, Susana Hilda Riyanti and her daughter Ferra Subekti suffered injuries and are being treated at the Tlogorejo Hospital in Semarang. Susana’s right leg was amputated due to the severity of the wounds. |
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July 22, 2001 – Two churches were rocked by bomb blasts east of Jakarta on Sunday, witnesses said, including one church celebrating Mass. At least 43 people were injured in the Roman Catholic Santa Ana Church, and two people lost limbs. 14 people were hospitalized. Minutes later, a second bomb erupted in an empty minibus parked at a nearby Protestant church. There were no injuries in the second blast. Police blamed the bombings on unknown forces trying to disrupt the impeachment of President Abdurrahman Wahid. |
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June 2001 – Around 200 Christians were rescued from an island in North Maluku where they had been forced to convert to Islam and were held against their will for more than a year. |
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May 29, 2001 – Four churches in East Java were attacked as political rioting erupted into violence against Christians. Three churches were damaged by stones and one burned down because no firefighters showed up to extinguish the blaze, which had been set by the rioters. |
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May 23, 2001 – Three people disguised as ninjas reeked havoc in the Christian village of Kusu-Kusu. At least one woman was murdered in her home and several others were wounded by stabbing and a grenade explosion. The Brimob (police) later located and shot the ninjas, believed to be jihad warriors from Java, mortally wounding them. |
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May 20, 2001 – Four Christian neighborhoods in Ambon were targeted by jihad warriors who are now apparently disguising themselves as ninjas. The ninjas knocked on doors in the Christian neighborhoods. Anyone opening the door was then stabbed with a bayonet. Grenades were also thrown, resulting in the destruction of 10-20 houses. Nine people are reported dead and 17 injured. |
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May 13, 2001 – A speedboat full of Christians traveling from Gudang Arang to Galala was attacked by black-clad "ninjas." Three people were killed and two others were seriously injured. The attack may have been provoked by Ambon’s jihad leader, Ustad Attamimi, who called for revenge against Christians for their alleged involvement in the death of 3 Muslims on May 10. |
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May 9, 2001 – Four Christians were reportedly shot dead when they attempted to check up on their farms in Duma village. Duma has been under the control of jihad warriors since June of 2000 when hundreds of Christian villagers were slaughtered and others were forced to flee. The four Christians had been living as refugees but hoped to be able to move back to their village. |
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May 4, 2001 – Laskar Jihad leader, Jafar Umar Thalib was arrested in Surabaya and is currently being held at the Police Headquarters in Jakarta. Despite his arrest it is reported that thousands more jihad warriors are being dispatched to Maluku. |
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April 28, 2001 – Muslims arriving by boat attacked Waenalut village on the island of Buru. Two people were killed and all of the remaining houses were razed. |
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April 27, 2001 – An extremist radio station broadcast encouraged its listeners to kill any Muslim participating in reconciliation efforts or any Muslim doing business with a Christian. "If a Muslim is caught doing business with a Christian, kill him, for it is better to slay one Muslim than that the whole Muslim community is wiped out…" Some moderate Muslims have already been victims of aggression by militant groups. |
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April 2, 2001 – Around 30 Muslims attacked the village of Kase on Buru Island, killing three people, including a father and son. |
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March 26, 2001 – The body of Semy Toisuta, the son of a Protestant pastor, was found floating at Slamet Riyadi harbor in Ambon. His body had been mutilated, including being circumcised. |
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March 20, 2001 – Agus Wattimena, a Christian grassroots leader, was killed by gunshot. It is not known who was responsible. |
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February 21, 2001 – Christians in Alang Asaude village on the island of Ceram were attacked by Muslim forces entering from the village of Waisala and from the sea. At least 3 people were killed and another was seriously injured as the Christian residents tried to flee to a safe place. Only 8 houses in the entire village of Alang Asaude remain undamaged. |
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February 2001 – ICC, along with Christian groups based in Indonesia, has launched a project to rescue Christians being held against their will by Muslims. Christians in at least 8 villages have been forcibly converted to Islam. Many have endured forced circumcision. Military forces, which are thought to be restraining violence against the Christians, are expected to gradually pull out of these villages by the end of February. ICC hopes to be able to transport these Christians to safe refugee camps and provide their basic needs for approximately 6 months. |
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February 2001 – Numerous reports indicate that forced conversion to Islam and forced circumcisions may be more widespread than originally thought. Forced Islamization has been reported in parts of Seram, Buru, Bacan and Halmahera as well as Kasiui and Teor (mentioned in detail below). No one is exempt from circumcision, as both men, women, elderly, and infants have been forcibly circumcised. The use of dull razor blades and the absence of proper sanitation in these procedures have led to infections and in some cases, death. |
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January 24, 2001 – The hamlet of Hatu Alang on the island of Ceram was attacked by approximately 500 Jihad warriors. Three civilians and an infantry sergeant were killed and as many as 84 houses were destroyed along with several churches and schools. Some residents fled to the woods and were later evacuated. |
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January 10, 2001 – A car full of Christians was attacked as it traveled through the Muslim neighborhood of Galunggung in Ambon. Three were wounded and two remain missing as a result of the attack. Two other Christians were seriously wounded in Batumerah when their limousine was shot at. |
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December 24, 2000 -- Several churches were destroyed and at least 19 people were killed as bombs exploded in or near Christian churches all over the country. Several Catholic churches in Jakarta were targeted as well as churches in West Java, Batam Island, and Sumatra. By God’s grace many other bombs were discovered before they were able to detonate. |
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December 22, 2000 – President Abdurrahman Wahid publicly admitted the reality of forced Islamization, saying "There is an effort by Islamic extremists to convert Christians to Islam. This is not right." |
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December 18, 2000 – A team that was sent to Kasiui to investigate allegations of forced Islamization returned along with approximately 172 Christians who were then sent to refugee centers. The group consisted mainly of women and children. Many of the Christians were prohibited from evacuating. An estimated 800-1000 are still being held against their will. The team felt their investigations were hampered by the presence of Muslims while converts were questioned about whether they had come to Islam of their own free will. |
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December 8, 2000 – Muslim and Christian groups from Maluku met in Yogyakarta for "Baku Bae" (reconciliation talks). However, even if local Muslims want peace in Maluku, extremist factions are pushing to continue the jihad and some local Muslims have been threatened to continue the jihad or be killed themselves. |
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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. |
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December 1, 2000 – On Kasiui island teachers David Balubun and E. Rumatera were beheaded for refusing to convert to Islam. |
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November 23, 2000 – Four Christian villages on Kasiui island were attacked by the Laskar Jihad. While around 500 people fled to a neighboring island, at least 760 people fleeing into the woods were kidnapped by Muslims and held hostage. A survivor reported that most of the Christians were forced to convert to Islam while as many as 100 Christians died for refusing to recant their faith. |
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September 27, 2000 – The Civil State of Emergency called by President Wahid in June ended. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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September 17, 2000 – Christian Kaleb Situmorang was killed in a drive-by shooting in Medan. Mr. Situmorang was mistaken for Pastor Benjamin Munthe because he was driving the pastor’s car and wearing similar clothing. This was the third attempt on the life of Pastor Munthe, who also survived two attempted bombings. Mr. Situmorang was Pastor Munthe’s assistant and a member of the rapidly-growing Victorious Faith church. |
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Ongoing – Violence between Muslims and Christians began on January 19, 1999 during a dispute between a Christian bus driver and a Muslim passenger. Insiders say, however, that the incident simply provided the necessary catalyst for militant Muslims to instigate a premeditated plan of violence against Christians. As of February of 2001, an estimated 8,000 people have been killed in the resulting violence and at least 500,000 have been displaced. |
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Ongoing – As of December 2000 it is reported that as many as 5000 Christians have been forced to undergo Muslim conversion rituals to convert to Islam. Those refusing to embrace the Islamic faith are often beheaded. Their heads are then paraded around the village to strike fear into the hearts of other Christians. |
Prisoners:
Six Christians were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison after being convicted of kidnapping a Muslim girl and forcing her to convert to Christianity. The three accused men, Salmon Ongirwalu, Robert Martinus, and Yanwarddi Koto, are serving out their sentences in prison while the 3 women, Liza Zuriana Ongirwalu, Meliana Martinus and Yeni Mendrova, have remained free on compassionate grounds. The girl in question had sought protection from Pastor Koto’s church in 1998, claiming her Muslim parents were going to hurt her. She was then taken care of by the 6 accused Christians for approximately 3 months.
You may write to the prisoners mentioned above by sending letters in care of a local prison ministry.
A/N Mrs. Paradede
Bandur Pulau Karam, No. 13C
Pandang 25118
Indonesia
Suggested Actions you might take:
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Pray for the Christians of Indonesia that they may continue to be protected from harm and that the Christian message may be heard and received by all. |
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Write a respectful letter to one or more of the government officials listed below. Express your continuing concern for the safety and well being of the Christian community in Indonesia. Request information about what steps the government is taking to ensure their protection and freedom to practice their faith as laid out in the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights documents. |
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Contact the elected national officials (Senators, Congressman etc.) for your area as well as the U.S. State Department and express concern for the well being of the Christians in Indonesia asking them to make an inquiry into their status. |
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Please keep us informed of any replies or results you may receive! Contact ICC by email at icc@persecution.org. |
Official Contacts:
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Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia Minister for Religious Affairs |
President Megawati Soekarnoputri Minister for Foreign Affairs |
*We make every attempt to keep up with and reflect changes in the national government of Indonesia and the current human rights situation. We appreciate your feedback if you find any discrepancies in this information. You can contact us by e-mail at: icc@persecution.org. Thanks.
POSTED: October 10, 2002
ICC Articles on Indonesia:
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August 16, 2002 - News - ALERT - HIGH LEVEL ALERT: THE MASSACRE OF CHRISTIANS IN INDONESIA HAS BEGUN! |
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August 13, 2002 - News - Press Release - Indonesia: POSO A SEA OF FIRE: Human Rights Group Urges Action, Indonesian military incapable of quenching the flames |
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August 4, 2002 - News - Press Release - Indonesia: Jihad Terrorists Strike Again in Poso |
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August 1, 2002 - Prayer - Burma, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sudan, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia |
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July 1, 2002 - CONCERN - Posted June edition of CONCERN. Suffering in Southern Sudan. Updates on Indonesia, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. |
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June 24, 2002 - Prayer - Belarus, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Uzbekistan, China, Jordan |
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June 5, 2002, - News- Press Release - Indonesia: Bomb on Bus Kills 4 |
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June 1, 2002 - White Paper - Indonesia: Islamic Jihad Groups, Islamic Sharia Law |
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May 18, 2002 - Prayer - May Prayer Points for China, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Vietnam |
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May 15, 2002 - News - Report - Indonesia: A Declaration of War: Is America Listening? |
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May 6, 2002 - News - Press Release - Muslim Militant Leader Arrested in Indonesia: Rights Group Questions Government's Resolve |
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April 28, 2002 - Report - Twelve Christians Killed in Pre-Dawn Brutal Attack in Ambon, Indonesia |
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March 2002 - Prayer Points - Prayer Points for Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Sudan, Vietnam |
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January 31, 2002 - Prayer - Prayer Points for China, Haiti, Indonesia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and a Praise Report for Turkmenistan |
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January 2, 2002 - Press Release - Indonesia: New Year Greeted With Bomb Blasts In Indonesia |
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December 2001 - Prayer Points - Indonesia, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia |
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December 26, 2001 - Report - Indonesia: "Bloody Christmas" Averted, Saudi Arabia: 14 Detained Christians Released In Time For Christmas |
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December 10, 2001 - Clarifying Terrorism - a special letter from ICC to the Commission for International Religious Freedom concerning the Campaign of Terrorism in Indonesia |
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December 10, 2001 - Some Encouraging News from Poso/Tentena, Indonesia - From the Campaign of Terrorism in Indonesia |
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November 30, 2001 - News/Reports - Special Report - Campaign of Terrorism in Indonesia |
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November 30, 2001 - What Can I Do? - Act Now! - Act Now against the Campaign of Terrorism in Indonesia: Please contact your representatives in Washington as well as Collin Powell. Do so NOW in order to avert a possible major blood bath and the displacement of an additional 60,000 plus Christians. |
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September 2001 - CONCERN - Indonesia: A Family is Reunited |
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July 2001 - CONCERN - Indonesia: JIHAD! |
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April 28, 2001 - Prayer Points - Indonesia, Pakistan, Sudan, Vietnam, Turkey |
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February 2001 - CONCERN - Jihad in Indonesia |
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September 2000 - CONCERN - 2000 Top Ten Priority Watch List Of Countries Where Christians Are Persecuted |
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July 2000 - CONCERN - Indonesia: The Holocaust Continues |
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April 2000 - CONCERN - Holocaust in Indonesia |
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February 26, 2000 - Prayer Requests - Indonesia: Clashes between Muslims and Christians have escalated in the Maluku Islands, Java, East Timor and elsewhere. Hundreds of Christians are either dead or missing. |
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