Once upon a time, the name Poso, in Central Sulawesi, was synonymous with sad memories from 1998 to 2002, when people lived in fear and trauma.
Terror was everywhere and local people were suspicious of their own neighbors.
But that time has past and conditions have changed a great deal. Security personnel are no longer seen on constant stand-by.
A peaceful ambience is clearly evident and colored streamers decorate the roads.
People have assimilated with one another and there is no longer a demarcation line dividing the Muslim enclave in Sayo subdistrict and the Christian settlement in Kawua subdistrict, North Poso district.
A feeling of togetherness is clearly evident in the Simpati coffee shop in Lawangsa subdistrict, Poso city, where Muslim and Christian residents mingle, enjoying cups of coffee or slices of toast with sarikaya jam. Poso's future is a frequent topic of discussion.
"This atmosphere must be maintained at all times," Rusly Suwandi, a correspondent for a local newspapers in the capital Palu, said, chatting with his friends.
Rusly said harmony began to return following the arrests of criminals and terror suspects in Poso two years ago. He hopes the situation can be maintained until the area has truly returned to its glory days.
To highlight the restoration of peace in Poso, the Central Sulawesi provincial administration chose it to host the 20th provincial level Koran Recital Contest (STQ) from May 4-8.
"I'm very grateful to the people of Poso who wish to maintain peace. I urge you to keep the peace," Governor Bandjela Paliudju said.
He added that he expected the opening of the STQ would be attended by thousands of people from across the province, including Muslim and Christian residents, who intermingle in the event, even singing in the same choir.
As the night grew late, several police officers were noticed chasing a number of youths involved in a fight.
But this did not last long. Police were able to quell the situation quickly and the minor incident did not disrupt the event.
Poso's residents were enraged, however, to wake up the next morning to find a national television station reporting that the STQ in Poso ended in a riot.
"Well, reporters have exaggerated the news. They only want to meet the deadline without considering the real truth. We demand the reporters clarify the news," Burhanuddin Hamsah, a resident of Poso, said.
Burhanuddin added reporters should have instead focused on the spirit of peace among the people.
"I learned of the fight after watching the TV, although I was at the event last night," he said.
Poso Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Adeni Mohan also expressed regret over the news. "It was dramatized. The reporter seemed not to have a peaceful perspective," he said.
Despite that, he could not contain his contentment at witnessing thousands of people flock to Poso. "Thank you, I don't have to comment much. You can watch for yourselves how the real situation is now," he said.
"Poso is no longer maposo *broken in the local dialect*. Poso has rebounded and this is accredited to the people who have maintained peace so far. "We must preserve the peace and no longer commit destructive acts because it only brings misery to us all," Adeni said.
