Indonesian Carolers Attacked Near Police HQ
by Allie Martin
January 5, 2004
(AgapePress) - Singing Christmas carols proved dangerous for six youths in Indonesia -- despite increased security and police presence.It was several days before Christmas when six young people were sitting outside of the Indonesian Christian Church in Poso, singing Christmas carols. Police say two men riding a motorcycle and carrying a military-style pistol shot at the young people. Two were hit and sustained minor injuries. The incident, which took place only 200 yards from police headquarters, was the third such attack in the area in the last several months.
Todd Nettleton, a spokesman for Voice of the Martyrs, says Christians in Indonesia face danger on a daily basis. He explains that Indonesia has the highest population of Muslims of any country in the world, and has a history of peaceful coexistence between different religious groups. But things have changed, he says.
"Over the last about three years, we have really seen that [peaceful coexistence] go downhill, and Christians have been repeatedly targeted by extremist Muslims there in Indonesia," Nettleton says.
The VOM spokesman says Christian persecution is rampant in Indonesia -- but that Christians in other parts of the world can make a difference.
"It is possible to have an influence by writing to Indonesian government officials," he explains. "The government has made great strides in recent months to try to provide some protection for the Christians -- [but] it seems some of their efforts are not producing the results we would like."
