'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.