Sunni – Shia local figures meet following violence

Following a disturbance that left two Shiites dead in Sampang, East Java, Sunni and Shia local figures gathered on Monday to “cool” the tension.

The meeting, which was hosted by the Semampir Police precinct, was attended by Semampir Police precinct chief Comr. Mudakkir, as well as representatives from the Tanjung Perak Port Police Office, the local Subdistrict Military Command and the Public Order Agency.

Tanjung Perak Police deputy chief Comr. Kholilur Rahman perceived the meeting as halal bihalal (a gathering especially to ask for forgiveness that follows Idul Fitri).

“We want to prevent the conflict from spreading to Surabaya as the city also hosts a Shia community that still lives peacefully there,” he said, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

On Sunday, Shia community members and an anti-Shia group were involved in a fracas, resulting in the deaths of two Shiites. The incident left hundreds of Shiites homeless. (yps/swd)