Amid mass prayers, Ambon paralyzed

Amid mass prayers, Ambon paralyzed

Novi Pinontoan, The Jakarta Post, Ambon

Christians in Ambon, the capital of strife-torn Maluku, began
three days of mass prayers on Tuesday, paralyzing almost all
activities from administrative, schooling to public
transportation both on land and sea.

The mass prayers, called Hari Perkabungan (Days of Mourning),
are an expression of growing concern in response to a series of
violence which resulted in at least 10 deaths and the injury of
dozens this month.

Prayers were staged in all churches as well as in many houses
and public buildings. Thousands of people took part, including
civil servants, students and people from all walks of life,
bringing most activities to a halt.

Hospital workers and security personnel, however, remained on
duty. Groups of police officers and military personnel guarded
the city to ensure peace.

Pattimura Airport in Laha was still operational, but almost
all land and sea transportation firms have temporarily halted
services.

"These prayers are a display of concern about all the violence
that has taken place during a relatively calm period in Maluku.
In this way we call on all people to assess themselves and
completely put their fate in God's hands. This mourning period is
also a moral movement to forge peace and unity," deputy chairman
of the Maluku Protestant Church Synod Leo Lohy said.

Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina said on Tuesday that the
administration could completely understand the purpose of the
prayers. "Civil servants are excused from work to join the
prayers ... after that they should go back to their daily
routines," he said. Similar support was also showed by Ambon
Mayor MJ Papilaya.

After months of relative calm, Ambon was rocked by bloody
violence recently when armed rioters attacked a village.

The first major incident took place on Nov. 3 in which gunmen
raided and occupied the predominantly Christian Waimulang village
in Seram islands, killing at least three villagers. At least
1,000 residents fled the village after rioters burned down 150
houses.

Later this month a spate of bombings and armed attacks
occurred in several parts of Ambon -- including a speedboat
shooting on Teluk Ambon Baguala waters and a blast at an
electronics store in downtown Ambon -- which claimed at least
eight lives.