Poso Muslims visit Christian base

Poso Muslims visit Christian base

PALU, Central Sulawesi: At least 100 Muslim residents from
various parts of Poso regency visited on Wednesday afternoon
Christian communities in Tentena, North Pamona district.

The visit by Poso Muslims, grouped under the Association of
Poso Muslim Families (FKKMP), aims to forge peace and harmony
between the two religions in the aftermath of a sectarian
conflict that rocked the area for two years since 2000.

At least 2,000 Muslims and Christians were killed in the
bitter conflict, which was partially resolved after a government-
sponsored peace pact drawn up in 2002, but sporadic attacks
against both sides have occurred in recent months.

FKKMP chairman Burhan S. Adu said the people of Poso, despite
their differences in faith, were of the same culture, tradition,
history, language and ancestry.

These united values would be nurtured again to prevent
horizontal conflicts from pitting one group against the other, he
said.

Many Christians living in predominantly Muslim areas took
refuge in Tentena, while Muslims in Christian areas fled to Poso
town during the conflict.

Despite the relatively calm situation in Poso regency,
unrestricted travel and the lifting of its state of civil
emergency, not all refugees had returned to their homes. -- JP