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Prayers offered for child victims of church bombing

Further attacks in Indonesia have led experts to consider a link with international jihadist group
Prayers offered for child victims of church bombing

Over a hundred people from various groups joined the vigil in Jakarta on Nov.14 for the victims of a petrol bomb attack on a Protestant church. (ucanews.com photo) 

Published: November 15, 2016 09:41 AM GMT
Updated: November 15, 2016 09:41 AM GMT

Candles flickered in the Jakarta wind on Nov. 14 when over a hundred people from different religions gathered to pray for children killed and injured in a petrol bomb attack on a Protestant church in the Indonesian city of Samarinda.

A convicted terrorist, known as Johanda, hurled a petrol bomb at the Batak Society Christian Church of Oikumene where several children were playing in the parking lot on Nov.13. Three suffered severe burns and two-and-a-half-year-old, Intan Ovivia Marbun, later died in hospital.  

People gathered in Jakarta to light candles, held photos of young Marbun and carried placards emblazoned with slogans condemning the act and promoting religious harmony. A similar vigil was held on Nov. 14 in Samarinda.

"We are here because we are concerned about the child victims and want to unite against extremism and terrorism," said Imelda, an attendee who only wanted to give her first name.

Olga Lidya, a Catholic model and artist, said she joined the vigil to pray for the victims and the perpetrator. "I pray that the Lord softens hearts that are filled with hatred," she said.

Reverend Henry Lokra, a representative of the Union of Churches in Indonesia called on Indonesian people not to be provoked by the incident.

"The current situation is worrying, but let us all stay together, no matter what religion you are following," he said.

Lokra also urged the government to improve the deradicalization program that was launched after the Bali bombings in 2002. The program aims bring extremists back to mainstream Islam.

 

Islamic State?

More attacks followed the school bombing. An unidentified assailant threw a petrol bomb at a Buddhist monastery in Singkawang and the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Malang received threatening phone calls, both on Nov. 14.

According to Nasir Abas, an expert on terrorism and former Jamaah Ismiyah jihadist, supporters of the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Indonesia, estimated to be two million people, are looking for the best moment to attack.

IS previously only targeted locals and Westerners but are now going after Christians and other minorities. "Christians are also targets [of IS]," Nasir told ucanews.com

Hendardi of the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace said the attack in Samarinda proved that religious intolerance was being exploited by jihadists.  

"The government must accelerate and draw up a comprehensive policy to deal with cases of intolerance that can potentially be transformed into radical movements," he said in a statement.

 

People attending a vigil on Nov. 14 for victims of a church bomb attack have urged the government to pay serious attention to combating terrorism. (ucanews.com photo)

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