Attack forces Indonesian Christians off campus

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 08/22/2008 10:37 AM  |  National

Hundreds of Christian theology students have been living in tents since a mob of angry Muslim neighbors stormed their campus last month wielding bamboo spears and hurling Molotov cocktails, according to reports by The Associated Press.

The incident comes amid growing concern that Indonesia's tradition of religious tolerance is under threat from Islamic hard-liners.

In talks since the attack, the Arastamar Evangelical School of Theology has reluctantly agreed to shut its 20-year-old campus in east Jakarta, accepting an offer this week to move to a small office building on the other side of the Indonesian capital.

"Why should we be forced from our house while our attackers can walk freely?" asked the Rev. Matheus Mangentang, chairman of the 1,400-student school.

The government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, which relies on the support of Islamic parties in Parliament, is struggling to balance deep Islamic traditions and a secular constitution. With elections coming next April, the government seems unwilling to defend religious minorities, lest it be portrayed as anti-Islamic in what is the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.

The July 25 attack, which injured 18 students, was the culmination of years of simmering tensions between the school and residents of the Kampung Pulo neighborhood.

Senny Manave, a spokesman for the Christian school, said complaints were received from neighbors about prayers and the singing of hymns, which they considered disturbing evangelical activity.

Several neighbors refused to comment, saying they feared that could further strain relations. A prominent banner, signed by scores of people, has been hung over an entrance to the neighborhood.

"We the community of Kampung Pulo demand the campus be closed and dissolved," it says.

The assault began around midnight, when students woke to the crash of stones falling on their dormitory roof as a voice over a loudspeaker at a nearby mosque cried "Allah Akbar," or "God is great" in Arabic.

The unidentified speaker urged residents to rise up against their "unwanted neighbors," said Sairin, the head of campus security, who goes by a single name.

The attack followed a claim that a student had broken into a resident's house, but police dismissed the charge.

Uneasy relations date to 2003, when neighbors began to protest the school's presence. Last year, residents set fire to shelters for construction workers to try to stop the campus from expanding deeper into the neighborhood. Some also questioned the legality of the school's permit.

Christian lawmaker Karol Daniel Kadang accused property speculators of provoking last month's incident to clear the land for more profitable use, after the school refused to sell out.

He also blamed the government for failing to build interfaith relations, which he and others believe are beginning to fray.

"People are still tolerant, but there is a growing suspicion among Muslims of others," said Prof. Franz Magnis-Suseno, a Jesuit priest who has lived in Indonesia for half a century.

He added that the police have failed to prevent both attacks on minorities and the forced closure of Christian churches and nontraditional mosques by mobs incited by radical Muslims.

"The state has some responsibility for this growing intolerance, namely by not upholding the law," he said.

A mob stormed a church service last Sunday in another east Jakarta neighborhood, forcing dozens of Christian worshipers to flee, said Jakarta Police Chief Col. Carlo Tewu. No arrests have been made.

Since being driven from campus, nearly 600 female students have been sleeping under suspended tarps at a nearby scout camp, where they had to dig trenches to keep water out during downpours. Classes are held with megaphones in the sweltering summer heat, under trees or the tarps. A similar number of male students live in a guesthouse. The remainder have returned to their families.

Food, water and school supplies are donated by church groups and community charities.

"We feel like refugees in our own country," said Dessy Nope, 19, a second-year student majoring in education. "How can you study here? I only followed 20 percent of my last lesson. It's difficult to concentrate."

Christians have not been the only targets for Muslim hard-liners, who this year set fire to mosques of a Muslim sect, Ahmadiyah, that they consider heretical.

In June, the government ordered members of the sect to return to mainstream Islam, sparking concern among activists who fear the state is interfering in matters of faith and caving in to the demands of radicals.

"We're living in a country where there are many religions, but the government cannot prevent the actions of fundamentalist groups," said Manave, the school spokesman. "The government cannot protect minorities." (amr)

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Patrick Hutapea (not verified) — Fri, 08/29/2008 - 7:58pm

For those who thinks up the reason behind this attack were economic problem, Muslim inferiority regarding economic discrepancy, & any of similar issues. And therefore, they legitimize the brutal attack?

I'm very dissapointed if some people get such misleading opinion.

Whatever the reason behind this attack, it's already ruined Indonesia's religious tolerance. The Muslim has to review itself, so must Christian!

Jakartatimur (not verified) — Fri, 08/29/2008 - 6:18am

They just don't know what they did, and they are just expressing their angerness which they think right. Unless they think unright, it wouldn't be happened. I think the minorities, herewith Christian understood that basic understanding; it's being part of its teaching to love thy neighbours eventhough Christian is threatened.

Dheree (not verified) — Thu, 08/28/2008 - 2:47pm

for real..just live there at Kampung Pulo n feel the situation there..

it is not about Muslim against Christian thingy stuff...it's about very basic human's nature as a group which feel threaten from other group who they feel will threaten their social life there...just take a look a case in Britain n other Christian populated countries that many MUslims which qualified as a MINORITY are unwell treat from their own communities and goverments.here the links "http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-553014/Church-leader-calls-building-mosques-banned-risk-Britain-Islamic-state.html"

about ISlamic Hard-liner it is just an topic that aggravate this issue..the author must take a deeper look..and if necessary,,,go to Kampung Pulo to see the REAL FACTs

Henry (not verified) — Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:17pm

I hope this will soon stop. But I'm very worried. I also read that the Bali bombers are yet again not executed. I wonder if they will ever be executed. Perhaps in a few years they will be released as real heroes. I hope this will never happen, but hard line Muslims are getting more and more power in Indonesia. The government is not intervening. This is a very very bad thing! Indonesia was always known for its tolerance on religion. Where has this tolerance gone?

Iain (not verified) — Sat, 08/23/2008 - 5:41pm

Rendra K, obviously you have misunderstood my point.

Yes, I am sure you can pull out a few passages of the Quran to support the idea that Islam is tolerant and peaceful. So, if I paste on this web site comments from the same Quran that show Islam to be intolerant and quarralsome, then I am right??

I don't see how you are looking at this objectively, as you accuse me of not doing. And I don't need to qualify my objectivity or understanding of Islamic scriptures. I only stated what is fact, and that there are plenty of passages in both the Quran and Haddith that support intolerance of minorites.

ASEANview (not verified) — Sat, 08/23/2008 - 9:40am

Indonesia is the fourth (4th) largest country in the world. The largest China (1st) is trying to catch up with the third (3rd) largest country US, the number one country in the world. As one can see from the various news, US businessmen are not too worried over US' USD53 trillion debts as they are confident of pulling brakes on it. Its just a question of when they want to do it. So the US will still be number one for many decades to come. The second (2nd) largest country, India is dead set on catching up with the first two and no one will think that they can't since US and EU are bent on assisting her to reduce China's influence. Brazil, the number five (5th) is already there acknowledged as one of the emerging power BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China).

With four out five of the biggest populated countries striving for their rightful places in the world order, it is appalling to see Indonesia not joining the race. Indonesia is an ideal country with good natural resources and territorial structure (sea, land & mountains). But the frequency of its domestic problems not created by others definitely prevents it from joining the other top five. Already acknowledge as the most populous Islamic country, Indonesia ought to be confident of Islam being in the heart of the country. As the majority, not a simple majority but a significant if not near total majority, the Islamic community ought to be the big brother looking after the smaller communities of other religions. Why shouldn't an Islamic Indonesia be as modern as the other top five countries? We are not talking about loosening of morality but being a country known more as a developed advance nation with its traditional values well entrenched. Well China and India are conservative nations too even though they are not Islamic countries. If one noticed not too long ago, even public kisses are fiercely criticised and condemned by its entire media. Why don't Indonesia stop looking for small wins within its own borders but look outwards to compete.

Indonesia is also blessed, as there is an ASEAN, a region providing approximately 500 million population. Its about 7.5% of the world's population. So there is a huge market and a huge say in world affairs.

As a Republic, Indonesia really is a country run by its people and not royalty. Like US which is also a Republic, Indonesia should be somewhere at the top not where it is now.

A (not verified) — Sat, 08/23/2008 - 6:13am

Government must act immediately. There are no principles in Islam that promotes violence. We are not living under Islamic constitution. And I believe there is no constitution in this world allowing citizens to act based on the their interpretations. This quarrel should be resolved swiftly and the attackers must be arrested legally. I'm muslim and my religion uphold peace. To both sides, please be aware that provocateurs may utilize this issue for their profit.

Stv (not verified) — Sat, 08/23/2008 - 5:27am

For All of You so called "God fearing creatures'" Info...
Cant' we all see that we all are a disgrace to our believe systems, AND that even after 2008 years (or longer..) it all just doesn't rally work anymore! Just Admit it!
How many more centuries do WE think it's gonna take for people to live in harmony?
Well, a wild Guess..,It'll NEVER work people! or..should i say animals.
Nothing is perfect! No, nothing!! Not even Believe Systems, the air we breath etc..! Yes, call me crazy. But i'm just saying the true things we All deep in our hearts actually think about..like...Shouldn't there be a World Referendum on Religion? and..aren't we all locked in this thing called Religion where we all are trying hard to escape or get out from? I tell you what, if there really is a God, the poor guy/girl would by now be sick and tired of the "Humans" that HE created. I would! I'm serious! WAKE UP!! and GOD..please save us from this "God Given Struggle" called "Life". I (we all have), have by birth-right the right to believe in any "God" we choose. But i, (and so should we all) certainly don't believe in ANY GOD that condones the killing, attacking, pain and despair inflicting burden on anything that's alive just for the sake of incomplete life understandings, including RELIGION. It's a We-ness not a One-ness folks! How many people in those ancient times could actually really read and understand "Holy Scriptures". Never thought about that one ya!!
Well, untill today not all of us really have the capacity to read and understand what they read, Happy Birthday! GBU :)

Sheldon (not verified) — Sat, 08/23/2008 - 12:58am

Truly, a disgusting event, part of a horrifying trend of religious intolerance in Indonesia. As the "most populous Muslim nation in the world", Indonesia is looked on (by the rest of the world) as an exemplar of Islam overall. This latest event, and more importantly Indonesia's failure to act decisively against Muslim religious intolerance, brings shame to all of Islam. I suggest that all Indonesians should speak-out against Muslim intolerance, with all the moral force they can muster. Personally, I've already sworn-off Indonesia as insular, petty, weak, and irrelevant. If Indonesians wish to prevent such harsh judgements from other citizens of the world, the time to act is NOW.

Sheldon
Toronto, CANADA

Ekyah (not verified) — Fri, 08/22/2008 - 11:35pm

Nonsense,

If they would be good muslims they would protest against the hardliners. They keep quiet.

Keeping quiet can mean two things.

1) They them self are afraid of the hardliners.
2) They agree with the hardliners.

Sometimes saying nothing, is the same as agreeing.
So in that case, they aren’t any better then the hardliners.

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