70,000 people attend emotional service

SEMARANG (JP): Seventy thousand people from all five recognized religions attended an emotional service here yesterday to pray for the nation's survival amid the economic turmoil.

Moslems, Christians, Protestants, Buddhists and Hindus, accompanied by their respective religious leaders, flocked to the Diponegoro Regional Military Command's parade ground for this rare event.

Visiting Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo H.S. also attended.

During the one-hour gathering, the devotees asked for help to swiftly lift the ailing country out of the ongoing economic crisis.

The country has been hit by a severe crisis since last July following the drastic depreciation of the rupiah against the American dollar.

The service were led by noted Moslem leader Cholil Bisri from the Raudhatul Thalibien Islamic boarding school in Rembang, Central Java.

Cholil, who is also one of the leaders of the 30 million strong Nahdlatul Ulama Moslem organization, said in his message that people from different ethnicities and religions should unite to face this prolonged ordeal.

"After this service, we should throw away our suspicions and unite to weather this economic hardship," Cholil said.

Wiranto called on the public yesterday to support and trust the government to implement the necessary steps to guide the nation through the crisis. (har/byg)