Christians commemorate tragic Tentena bombing<\/p>\n
Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Tentena<\/p>\n
The atmosphere was somber at a ceremony to mark the 100th day
\nsince the Tentena bombing, in which 21 people were killed. Rev.
\nIshak Cole from the Central Sulawesi Christian Church opened his
\naddress by calling on the 500 people in attendance to be patient
\nand resolute. As the sound of crying filled the air the voice of
\nthe reverend was barely audible.<\/p>\n
\"We should not be drawn down by the tragedy. We have to move
\nforward and pray for our loved ones who perished in the bombing,\"
\nsaid Ishak.<\/p>\n
The morning ceremony was held near the Tentena market, which
\nwas hit by the bombing on May 28. Several high-ranking officials
\nwere present at the event including Poso Regent Piet Inkiriwang.<\/p>\n
After the function, calls mounted for the police to step up
\nmeasures to apprehend the perpetrators of the attack. In spite of
\na months-long investigation, no arrests have been made.<\/p>\n
\"We only trust the police,\" said Jemmy Metusala, the secretary
\nof the church's Crisis Center.<\/p>\n
Thirty civilians were also injured in the bombing. Although a
\nchurch is located near the site of the attack, local leaders have
\nsaid that it was not directed at Christians.<\/p>\n
\"Muslims and Christians have been enjoying warm relations in
\nthe past months. I believe the bombing had something to with the
\nregental election,\" said Rev. Irianto Kongkoli, the general
\nsecretary of the church.<\/p>\n
The bombing happened in the lead up to the election, which
\ntook place on June 30. Piet Inkiriwang was elected as Poso
\nregent.<\/p>\n
Tentena, which is part of Poso regency, was among hot spots in
\nthe religious conflicts that broke out in Poso in 2000. Some
\n2,000 Muslims and Christians died in the sectarian conflicts,
\nwhich largely died down in 2002.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/christians-commemorate-tragic-tentena-bombing-1447893297",
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