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Yogyakarta residents stage show of solidarity following Surabaya church bombings
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Together: Yogyakarta residents from various religious, professional and ethnic backgrounds gather at Tugu Monument, Yogyakarta, in a show of solidarity following suicide bombings that hit three churches in Surabaya, East Java, on May 13. (JP/Bambang Muryanto)
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undreds of Yogyakarta residents gathered at Tugu Monument on Sunday to pray and show their solidarity following suicide bombings that hit three churches in Surabaya, East Java. Thirteen people died and around 40 others were injured in the attacks.
Artists, religious leaders, activists and students attended the event on Sunday evening, which was closed by a joint prayer and candlelight vigil.
Representatives of 60 civil society organizations conveyed short statements during the event. They included the Yogyakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH), the Yogyakarta Women’s Network (JPY) and the Islam and Social Studies Institute (LKIS).
“We condemn the terror acts and convey our condolences to the victims,” said event coordinator Mukhibullah.
Read also: Jakarta, East Java, Riau Islands on highest alert after Surabaya bombings
Mukhibullah asserted that no religion promoted terrorism. He also called on the government to protect the constitutional rights of all Indonesians and to stay alert of any movements that aimed to weaken democracy in Indonesia.
In her statement, Sukiratnasari of JPY condemned violence in Surabaya that had involved women and children. Such acts would lead to the growth of hatred among children, she went on.
“Children and women are symbols of civilization,” said Sukiratnasari.
Meanwhile, M. Iqbal Ahnaf, a lecturer from the Center for Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies at Gadjah Mada University, said he believed the terror acts in Surabaya would instead strengthen people’s belief that Indonesia was built on diversity.
“Indonesia will not be defeated by terrorism, violence. Indonesia will remain a safe house for people of various religions and ethnicities.” (ebf)
