'Idul Adha' brings peace to conflict-torn areas

'Idul Adha' brings peace to conflict-torn areas

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The peaceful nationwide commemoration of Idul Adha (Day of
Sacrifice) on Friday brought fresh signs of hope, especially in
strife-torn regions, of a move closer towards reconciliation and
long-term peace.

Despite tight security, thousands of Muslims in Ambon, the
capital of Maluku, went to open fields without fear of unrest to
perform Idul Adha prayers despite light rain.

Local Muslims and community leaders including Maluku Governor
Saleh Latuconsina and local military and police officials were
also present

There were also large numbers praying in mosques, including
the ones located in predominantly Christian areas. They walked
without apparent fear. Many Christians also greeted their Muslim
neighbors and helped them slaughter sacrificial cows and goats.

"We are happy with this current peace. They (Muslims) shared
two kilograms of goat meat," said Marcelina, a Christian
resident, at the Batugajah subdistrict in the city.

On Thursday evening, thousands of young people paraded through
the city, some letting off firecrackers to observe the holiday.

The situation in Ambon has gradually eased after rival
factions signed a peace accord to end the three-year conflict
that has claimed more than 6,000 lives.

Leaders from both sides are still in the process of
disseminating the substance of the peace accord to locals, while
security authorities have called on all sides to surrender their
guns voluntarily before March 1.

Similar to the situation in Ambon, thousands of Muslims in
Poso, Central Sulawesi performed prayers in mosques and open
fields with local officials.

No gun shots were heard as locals performed prayers in Sintuwu
Maroso field, where local Muslims and Christians used to hold
gatherings during Idul Fitri Holidays and Christmas before the
sectarian conflict erupted three years ago.

"These Idul Adha prayers create a true peace and is different
from the ones over the last three years as they resow the
brotherhood between local Muslims and non-Muslims. We have been
greeted warmly from our Christian neighbors," Antara news agency
quoted Luthfi, a resident of Bonesompe, as saying.

The situation in the regency was gradually returning to normal
after rival factions signed the Malino declaration in Dec. 20.
The sectarian conflict that erupted in December 1998 claimed more
than 2,000 lives and displaced more than 70,000 locals.

The local administration has also begun rehabilitating damaged
assets while security authorities are making preparations to
disarm all militiamen and expel troublemakers from other islands
who have come to foment unrest.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Acehnese Muslims also went out
in public in Banda Aceh on Thursday night to observe the Idul
Adha and gathered at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque for prayers
despite ongoing tension in the province between the Free Aceh
Movement (GAM) and government security personnel.

No less than 4,000 security personnel were deployed in the
city on Thursday and Friday and no gunshots or bombs were heard
in the city or the surrounding areas.

Despite the conflict between GAM and security authorities that
has created fear among many, both sides have agreed to resume
dialogs to solve the Aceh issue. Officials also recently
prevented Laskar Jihad from holding a mass gathering in the city.

The celebration of Idul Adha was also conducted solemnly in
the other regions of the country with a call for a sense of
solidarity and cooperation among all.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri performed prayers in Al Fatah
Mosque in Surabaya, East Java while Vice President Hamzah haz did
so at Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Jakarta.

Meanwhile, acting Minister of Religious Affairs Abdul Malik
Fadjar hailed the celebration of Idul Adha as a good chance to
provide momentum for the nation to replant the sense of religious
tolerance among communities and create a true peace among the
people.

"Hopefully, Idul Adha can provide momentum for Muslims to
become reflective of numerous problems that need sacrifice from
all sides to cope with," he said in Jakarta.