Christmas was peacefully celebrated in all corners of the
\nglobe, including Indonesia, where -- two years ago -- churches in
\nseveral towns were rocked by bombs, which killed 19 people.<\/p>\n
Millions of Christians in the archipelago felt secure to go to
\nchurch to celebrate Christmas, despite warnings from the United
\nKingdom to its citizens living in Indonesia not to visit churches
\non Christmas Eve. The governments of America and Australia had
\nalso warned of possible fresh terror attacks on Christmas Eve.<\/p>\n
The Bali bombings on Oct. 12 spurred the authorities to
\ntighten security at churches, but the most impressive thing was
\nthat two days before Christmas religious leaders met to express
\ntheir wish for peace and their rejection of violence. The meeting
\nwas held at the headquarters of Muhammadiyah, the second largest
\nMuslim organization in the country.<\/p>\n
In East Java, thousands of members of Banser, the militia
\nbelonging to the Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Muslim
\norganization, were fielded to safeguard churches.<\/p>\n
In general, Christmas celebrations in all parts of the world
\nwent off peacefully and smoothly, but not in Bethlehem, the town
\nwhere Jesus Christ was born. It is ironic that Christmas in
\nBethlehem was tense and gloomy as Israeli soldiers continued to
\nbesiege the town. No bell ringing and no Christmas carols. \"This
\nis the worst Christmas for the past 50 years,\" a 62-year-old
\ncitizen said.<\/p>\n
-- Koran Tempo, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/christmas-was-peacefully-celebrated-in-all-corners-of-the-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }