Voilence mars Idul Fitri

Voilence mars Idul Fitri

JAKARTA (JP): The Idul Fitri holiday this year was marred by
violence in Maluku, Central Sulawesi and Aceh, but signs of
progress toward peace in East Timor gave cause for optimism when
Catholic and Muslim leaders shared the celebrations.

In Jakarta, President B.J. Habibie and Minister of Defense and
Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto both used the
religious sentiment to urge people to think rationally and to
stop denouncing the government, and in Ujungpandang, Southeast
Sulawesi, Governor La Ode Kaimoeddin set a good example by
apologizing to the community there for his shortcomings and
mistakes.

Tension clouded celebrations in the Central Sulawesi capital
of Palu, with most residents staying at home after hearing rumors
that houses would be set on fire by an angry mob. More than 100
families living near Talise beach in West Besusu fled their homes
and sought shelter in other areas on Tuesday evening.

Pius, who was among those who fled, identified the mob as
villagers from Pengawu who were seeking to avenge the torture of
a friend named Akbar by Talise people one day earlier.

"We remain alert to the possibility of crime and traffic
accidents," provincial police spokesperson Ida Kartati said on
Wednesday.

Tension also marred Idul Fitri celebrations in North Aceh
following rumors that an alleged separatist leader would attack
the town of Lhokseumawe, and in Ambon, Maluku, where at least ten
people have been killed in fighting sparked by rumors of the
burning of mosques and churches.

Despite unrest plaguing other parts of the country, signs of
encouragement could still be found in Dili, East Timor.

Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo visited and prayed at
the historic An'nur Mosque in Alor village, Dili, on the eve of
Idul Fitri. His visit and his decision to pray in the grand
mosque was warmly welcomed by hundreds of Muslims.

The 1996 Nobel Peace Prize winner told Muslims and their
leaders that he would be among the first to defend the mosque,
built in the 1940s, or any other mosque that was attacked by mobs
set on causing trouble.

Traditionally, Muslims in Dili also visit the bishop on
Christmas Eve.

In Jakarta, President B.J. Habibie, and current and former
Cabinet ministers and senior Armed Forces (ABRI) officers held
open house at their respective residences. Their subordinates,
community leaders and the representatives of community groups
dominated their guest lists.

Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen.
Wiranto, Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung, and former vice
presidents Sudharmono and Try Sutrisno were among those who spent
Tuesday receiving well-wishers.

Speaking to journalists after attending the Idul Fitri prayer
at ABRI's Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, Wiranto urged
citizens to stop denouncing each other and to show more patience.

"A lot of problems are confronting the nation, while many
people continue to insult and suspect each other...Let us all
stop these negative things," he said.

This year's Idul Fitri, or Lebaran as it is known locally, was
more subdued than in previous years due to the severe economic
crisis. Sales of clothes and other goods were down, and the sound
of firecrackers, an Idul Fitri trademark, was less frequent than
usual.

However, spirits remained high in the larger part of the
country.

In Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, heavy rains could not prevent
thousands of Muslims from saying their prayers at 21 mosques in
the city. Almost 4,000 Muslims assembled at Nurusaa'dah Grand
Mosque alone. Unlike previous Idul Fitri holidays, this time
around prayers were not held in open fields.

Antara did not explain the reason for this change, however an
incident in November might had influenced the decision. A dozen
mosques were burned or vandalized during two days of rioting in
Kupang in November which appeared to be in retaliation for the
burning of several churches in Jakarta one week earlier.

In Bandar Lampung, Lampung, Idul Fitri was marked in a
peaceful and cheerful atmosphere. Many farmers, especially those
who produce cash crops for export, could indulge more than usual
due to healthy profits resulting from the rupiah's weakness
against the U.S. dollar.

A similar state of affairs prevailed in Bengkulu.

In Jayapura, celebrations ran smoothly. Jayapura Police chief
Let. Col. Silooy said that no traffic accidents or crimes had
been reported as of Wednesday afternoon.

Back in Jakarta, the government released 28 convicts who had
completed their sentences from Cipinang and Salemba prisons.

"I hope that you will not return here again," Minister of
Justice Muladi told the prisoners during a visit to Cipinang.
(prb/44)