Religious leaders pledge to work towards harmony

Religious leaders pledge to work towards harmony

By Ainur R. Sophiaan

SITUBONDO, East Java (JP): Leaders of four religious
communities in this city pledged yesterday to work together
towards harmony and peaceful coexistence, following the bloody
sectarian conflict on Oct. 10 which left five people dead.

The pledge by leaders of Moslem, Catholic, Protestant and
Hindu communities was made at the town hall in the presence of
East Java Governor Basofi Sudirman, who came from Surabaya for
the occasion.

In a joint statement, the leaders pledged to work together to
restore the lives of the people of Situbondo, which have been
shattered by the conflict.

They agreed to work hand in hand to rebuild the damaged
churches and other buildings, and more importantly, to help
people overcome the trauma and fear that still haunts them and
has prevented many from resuming their normal lives.

Official accounts say 24 churches and a Hindu temple were
burned in the incident. Schools, an orphanage, shops, government
offices, and scores of vehicles were also damaged. Five people
died inside one of the burned churches.

Situbondo Regency Chief Soedarjanto has claimed that normalcy
was restored as far back as Oct. 12, but locals say many people
still fear leaving their houses, and some were still too afraid
to visit churches.

The agreement was signed by Syaifullah Saleh representing
Moslems, Father Blasiustira representing Roman Catholics, Priest
Samuel Lie representing Protestants and I Nengah Thela
representing Hindus. Endorsing the agreement were leaders of
provincial religious councils, including Misbach (Moslem) and
Reverend Sih Pinardi (Protestant). Lora Fawaid Syamsul Arifin was
present with other charismatic leaders from local pesantren
(Moslem boarding schools).

"We regret the Oct. 10 incident in Situbondo," the joint
statement said.

"We appeal to the government and the public to contain the
problem so it does not spread to other areas.

"We appeal to the government and the public for restraint
(and) ... we hope religious and community leaders will work hand
in hand and shoulder to shoulder to foster peaceful coexistence
between religious communities," it said.

They urged the government to provide protection for all
citizens conducting prayers.

Situbondo Regency chief Soedarjanto estimated material losses
amounted to Rp 4.8 billion ($2 million). "I'll be frank with you,
we don't have that kind of money," he said. The Situbondo
regency has a population of 580,000 people.

Governor Basofi pledged to give Rp 1.5 billion.

Basofi expressed his relief at signing of the statement and
said it was an exemplary model for fostering religious harmony
throughout Indonesia.

The governor said he was to blame for the incident. "As the
sole ruler of the province, it is my responsibility," he said.

Priest Samuel Lie also expressed relief and satisfaction at
the joint statement.

"This town has always been peaceful and harmonious," he said.
After yesterday's pledge, there should no more reason for anyone
in Situbondo to fear practicing their faith, he said.

Local people however said finding construction workers to
undertake the restoration work might be difficult because many of
them would be afraid to be seen repairing churches.

Because of a shortage of volunteers, the military has had to
dispatch soldiers to clear debris from the razed buildings,
locals said.

In Surabaya, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Chairman Abdurrachman Wahid
said he did not go to Situbondo because he was not invited.

He said he had been the target of some accusations. "Some
people even suggested that I was the mastermind," he told
reporters.

Situbondo, a predominantly NU area, hosted the organization's
congress in 1984.