On June 26 2000, the Indonesian government declared a civil emergency in the strife-torn Maluku islands, following six days of clashes between Muslims and Christians. The declaration - one step short of martial law - came as church leaders in Ambon called on the UN to stop the growing conflict, which in the previous 18 months left more than 3,000 people dead and hundreds of worship places destroyed.

The general secretary of the Alliance, Setri Nyomi, sent a letter of support to our two churches in the islands - the Christian Evangelical Church in Halmahera (GMIH) and the Protestant Church in the Moluccas (GPM). He wrote to President Abdurrahman Wahid of Indonesia and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan calling for speedy action to end the bloodshed. He appealed to WARC member churches and to Christians around the world to pray for the life and security of the Reformed family and of all people in the former Dutch Spice islands.

"For several years," Nyomi said, "communal conflict in Indonesia has been a source of concern for all Christians and peace-loving people around the world."

He noted that Kostrad 141, the infantry battalion charged with the security of the Christian population, withdrew in fear of their own lives, leaving those they were to safeguard without protection. "We wonder whether the armed forces have the will and capacity to restore and maintain security in the region," he said.

During its July meeting in Bangalore, India, our executive committee received additional information on the escalating human rights violations in Maluku (and in Central Sulawesi, also the scene of interreligious conflict). On behalf of the Alliance, which has 28 member churches in Indonesia, the committee urged the Indonesian government to act decisively in the Maluku islands to restore the peaceful coexistence of the two religious communities.

"We are convinced that religious communities should be a symbol of peace rather than sources of tension in society," the committee said. "Our concern is peace for all - Muslims, Christians and people from other religions."

In its statement, the executive committee

encouraged prayers for peace in Maluku and in Central Sulawesi.
affirmed its solidarity with the majority of Christians and Muslims in Indonesia, who have been and are living in harmony, in their support for peacekeeping efforts.
rejected all circumstances in which religious communities are abused or manipulated by political or economic powers.
appealed to President Abdurrahman Wahid of Indonesia to take all measures in his power to stop the conflict immediately and to restore peace among the people in the troubled area.
appealed to Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, to do whatever is necessary to restore security and peace in the region.
urged all member churches to remember in their thoughts and prayers the people in Maluku and Central Sulawesi, as well as their sister churches, the Protestant Church in the Moluccas (GPM), the Christian Evangelical Church in Halmahera (GMIH) and the Christian Church in Central Sulawesi (GKST), who are in crisis.

Páraic Réamonn