Christmas brings Indonesians together
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia celebrated Christmas amid heightened security late on Friday and Saturday due to reports of possible bomb attacks in the capital and vandalism in the conflict-torn regions.
In Jakarta, a heavy downpour highlighted the serene and peaceful atmosphere of the celebrations at over 120 churches across the city, including the two largest the Jakarta Cathedral and Immanuel Church in Central Jakarta.
Police worked together with community organizations -- including the Youth of Tanah Abang Mosque and the Red and White Brigade (BMP) to guard the area outside the churches and direct traffic, for which the chairman of the Indonesian Council of Bishops (KWI), Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja, expressed his gratitude.
"I credit all Christians for their courage to still attend mass amid the bomb threats ... I also thank all parties that took part in protecting the churches," he said at the beginning of his sermon at the cathedral.
Warnings from Western governments of possible Christmas bombings had reportedly not only stopped people from attending church services but also forced some churches to hold Christmas Eve services at hotels, malls and office buildings.
Darmaatmadja encouraged the congregation to work together with the new government to revive a sense of peace and security.
"We have seen people humiliated by several acts of violence and discrimination ... natural resources have also been drained, while corruption continues. All of these have created hatred ... Many people have lost their places of worship, people feel insecure."
Poverty, he added, should be considered "a disaster for us all; as Christians we should eradicate poverty in solidarity."
In Serang, Banten, Protestant minister Benny Halim also called on people to end violence and hostility toward one another.
In Palu, Central Sulawesi, where attacks against churches have been a regular feature in the city in the past years, the calm was marred by machete-wielding assailants on motorcycles who attacked a Protestant minister, identified as Jhoni Tegel and his friend Jemry Tembalino, in Masani village of the strife-torn Poso regency. The minister was seriously injured in the attack.
Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Aryanto Sutadi said that police had embarked on a manhunt for five suspects "who were clad in T-shirts of the police mobile brigade," he said, adding that the five were also carrying firearms.
In Ambon, a festive mood prevailed during Christmas's Eve when thousands of the city residents took to the streets to witness a fireworks display.
Christians and Muslims, who in the past years engaged in bitter clashes, mingled in the streets rejoicing the return of peace.
Ambon Police were out in force with over 500 personnel to guard the celebrations. This was augmented by the deployment of one company from the mobile brigade and two platoons of army soldiers.
In Surabaya, no disturbances were reported during Christmas celebrations apart from traffic congestion caused by over 40,000 people trying to gain access to Bethani Church, the largest church in Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, in Denpasar, Bali, a bomb scare overshadowed celebrations as word circulated that explosives were planted at an intersection in the city. The police declared the bomb threat a hoax after a one-hour search.