'Idul Adha' brings peace to conflict-torn areas<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The peaceful nationwide commemoration of Idul Adha (Day of
\nSacrifice) on Friday brought fresh signs of hope, especially in
\nstrife-torn regions, of a move closer towards reconciliation and
\nlong-term peace.<\/p>\n
Despite tight security, thousands of Muslims in Ambon, the
\ncapital of Maluku, went to open fields without fear of unrest to
\nperform Idul Adha prayers despite light rain.<\/p>\n
Local Muslims and community leaders including Maluku Governor
\nSaleh Latuconsina and local military and police officials were
\nalso present<\/p>\n
There were also large numbers praying in mosques, including
\nthe ones located in predominantly Christian areas. They walked
\nwithout apparent fear. Many Christians also greeted their Muslim
\nneighbors and helped them slaughter sacrificial cows and goats.<\/p>\n
\"We are happy with this current peace. They (Muslims) shared
\ntwo kilograms of goat meat,\" said Marcelina, a Christian
\nresident, at the Batugajah subdistrict in the city.<\/p>\n
On Thursday evening, thousands of young people paraded through
\nthe city, some letting off firecrackers to observe the holiday.<\/p>\n
The situation in Ambon has gradually eased after rival
\nfactions signed a peace accord to end the three-year conflict
\nthat has claimed more than 6,000 lives.<\/p>\n
Leaders from both sides are still in the process of
\ndisseminating the substance of the peace accord to locals, while
\nsecurity authorities have called on all sides to surrender their
\nguns voluntarily before March 1.<\/p>\n
Similar to the situation in Ambon, thousands of Muslims in
\nPoso, Central Sulawesi performed prayers in mosques and open
\nfields with local officials.<\/p>\n
No gun shots were heard as locals performed prayers in Sintuwu
\nMaroso field, where local Muslims and Christians used to hold
\ngatherings during Idul Fitri Holidays and Christmas before the
\nsectarian conflict erupted three years ago.<\/p>\n
\"These Idul Adha prayers create a true peace and is different
\nfrom the ones over the last three years as they resow the
\nbrotherhood between local Muslims and non-Muslims. We have been
\ngreeted warmly from our Christian neighbors,\" Antara news agency
\nquoted Luthfi, a resident of Bonesompe, as saying.<\/p>\n
The situation in the regency was gradually returning to normal
\nafter rival factions signed the Malino declaration in Dec. 20.
\nThe sectarian conflict that erupted in December 1998 claimed more
\nthan 2,000 lives and displaced more than 70,000 locals.<\/p>\n
The local administration has also begun rehabilitating damaged
\nassets while security authorities are making preparations to
\ndisarm all militiamen and expel troublemakers from other islands
\nwho have come to foment unrest.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Acehnese Muslims also went out
\nin public in Banda Aceh on Thursday night to observe the Idul
\nAdha and gathered at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque for prayers
\ndespite ongoing tension in the province between the Free Aceh
\nMovement (GAM) and government security personnel.<\/p>\n
No less than 4,000 security personnel were deployed in the
\ncity on Thursday and Friday and no gunshots or bombs were heard
\nin the city or the surrounding areas.<\/p>\n
Despite the conflict between GAM and security authorities that
\nhas created fear among many, both sides have agreed to resume
\ndialogs to solve the Aceh issue. Officials also recently
\nprevented Laskar Jihad from holding a mass gathering in the city.<\/p>\n
The celebration of Idul Adha was also conducted solemnly in
\nthe other regions of the country with a call for a sense of
\nsolidarity and cooperation among all.<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri performed prayers in Al Fatah
\nMosque in Surabaya, East Java while Vice President Hamzah haz did
\nso at Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, acting Minister of Religious Affairs Abdul Malik
\nFadjar hailed the celebration of Idul Adha as a good chance to
\nprovide momentum for the nation to replant the sense of religious
\ntolerance among communities and create a true peace among the
\npeople.<\/p>\n
\"Hopefully, Idul Adha can provide momentum for Muslims to
\nbecome reflective of numerous problems that need sacrifice from
\nall sides to cope with,\" he said in Jakarta.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/idul-adha-brings-peace-to-conflict-torn-areas-1447893297",
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