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Indonesia Letter-writing Campaign

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Indonesia: A Cry for Help

A country with an estimated 211 million inhabitants, Indonesia is the world's most densely populated states. Some 85 percent are Moslem, 10 percent Christian, 2 percent Hindu and 1 percent Buddhist.

For most of their history, Indonesians of different faiths have lived in peace with each other. But in the past three years, this peaceful relationship has changed for many.

Appealing to their large majority, some Moslems are agitating to turn Indonesia into a Moslem state. Most however are supportive of the current situation and do not wish to see the combination of state and religion, or the imposition of the Shari'a (Islamic law). With the recent liberalizing of the county's government have come new problems and tensions that also express themselves in inter-religious violence.

"Liberalism has caused problem," acknowledges Hiskia Missah, public affairs and religious liberty director for the South Asia-Pacific Division, himself an Indonesian. "Some have turned new freedoms into an 'anything goes' approach, and we see many conflicts between religions that did not exist before. This is a tragedy for all, and a very real danger to the whole country."

Missah points to the situation in the Maluku provinces (Molucca islands), noting that before the recent violence the different religious groups lived together in peace and toleration to the extent that they proudly spoke of their good relationships.

"But then came the tragedy and collapse into violence and killing," says Missah. "On the island of Ambon, it seems there was a argument between a Moslem and a Christian. The argument became physical, and then involved others of the different families. This spread to the extended clans of the two men, and developed into whole-scale conflict. Now this inter-tribal conflict has become a religious war, with people targeted because of the religion they belong to."

This descent into hatred and war has claimed many thousands of deaths from both sides. Families are forced from their homes, and many have left, refugees in their own country.

"Initially the Christians gained the upper hand, and many Moslems were killed," Missah reports. "So the Moslems appealed to their fellow religionists, and now you have the Laskar Jihad, the 'warriors of the holy war,' Moslem volunteers who come to fight." According to some reports coming from Maluku, some of the military sent to keep the peace have taken sides and either do not prevent the violence, or actually participate in it. The result is the bitter war that continues to rage, not only in Maluku, but in other areas also.

So what of the Adventist Church?

"The Adventist Church has been appreciated by both sides in the conflict," notes Missah. "At one time the governor use one of our churches as a location to bring people together. We were seen as a neutral place to bring reconciliation."

And now?

"The problem is that the violence has become indiscriminate. Attacks are generalized-all Christians are to be killed. So some of people have been killed and our churches have been burned. Hundreds of our members have had to flee their homes, and some have been attacked."

The violence continues, according to Missah. As a result, "many have abandoned their homes and have fled to Manado on the island of Celebes for safety. ADRA is helping with materials, the local Adventists are collecting for food and clothing, and we have had donations. But it is still not enough. This is a huge crisis."

As the conflict becomes more intense, more militant, there come reports of forcible conversions and circumcisions, both male and female. "You have to say two sentences, 'There is no God but Allah,' and "Mohammed is his prophet.' Then you are circumcised and you can live," says Missah. He has not heard of Adventists being involved in such forced conversions.

Yet in some places Moslems are defending Adventists. In Java and the Celebes, Adventist churches have been protected from damage and burning by Moslem neighbors.

"We want to speak well of all people of good faith," says Missah. We condemn all kinds of violence, whoever is responsible. This is not the way of Christ." What can be done? "We need more material help for the refugees. We appeal for aid, which can be sent through ADRA. We ask for support-you can write letters to the government and embassies to plead for an end to violence and the re-establishment of law and order. As Adventists we should be praying for all involved in this terrible conflict in Indonesia."

Letters directed to the Indonesia authorities should reflect our commitment to peace and tolerance, says Missah. "We need to represent our Lord and speak out against the violence. As our General Conference president said about Indonesia, 'Violence in the name of religion can never be justified. The Adventist message is of a compassionate, freedom-loving God, and this is the message we will continue to proclaim with all our strength.'" [Jonathan Gallagher]

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