In a message dated 1/10/00 7:28:49 PM Central Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
<< Hijri date: Tuesday 4 SHawwal 1420 A.H.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2000 12:49:47 -0500
From: [log in to unmask]
OPEN LETTER
FROM MUSLIMS IN NORTH AMERICA, PARTICULARLY THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE
INDONESIAN MUSLIM STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (IMSA).
Assalamu'alaikum.
Peace be upon all of you.
We, the Muslims in North America, particularly those associated with the
Indonesian Muslim Students Association (IMSA) have followed intimately the
events developing in Indonesia over the last year and observe:
1. The escalation of conflict between Christians and Muslims in the
Moluccus Islands (Kepulauan Maluku), starting in Ambon and quickly
spreading to surrounding areas and up to the Halmahera island several days
ago. Not only is the area of conflict expanding, its brutality has also
intensified indicated by the number of victims, the types of weapons used,
as well as the brutal killing. The Indonesian military and police forces
have also participated in these conflicts and aided in killing.
2. Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid's statements that the conflict
in Moluccus (Maluku) should be resolved by the local community. This is
clearly not in accordance with the governments responsibility, elected
democratically by the people's representative, to maintain law, order and
security of the society. Equally disturbing is the lack of any steps taken
by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri who was given the task of
resolving the conflict in Moluccus (Maluku)
3. The Halmahera events transpiring from Sunday, December 26, 1999
through Monday, January 3, 2000 in Halmahera Tengah, Tobelo, specifically
in the Togolihua village, ended with over 500 Muslims being killed and
Muslim women raped in the streets in that predominantly Christian area.
There are now over 25,000 refugees, mostly women and children, from that
area to nearby Ternate.
4. There are no signs that these conflicts are subsiding. In fact,
symptoms of the conflict and violence spreading even further is observed.
We, the Muslims in North America particularly those associated with the
Indonesian Muslim Students Association (IMSA) hereby:
1. Condemn the killings, raping and other inhumane aggression by the
Christians towards the Muslims and the ethnic Chinese, primarily the
innocent women and children of the Moluccus (Maluku) in the bloody events
of December 26 1999 through January 3, 2000.
2. Demand that the government of President Abudrrahman Wahid and Vice
President Megawati Soekarnoputri quickly take firm and just action to
resolve the conflict in Moluccus (Maluku) and surrounding areas, as well
as anticipate the possibility of its spreading to other regions. The
slowness of decision making by the government has clearly contributed to
the escalation and spreading of the conflict. We also demand the military
and police forces to help resolve the conflict and not worsen it by
participating in the conflict.
3. Invite all people, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, in all parts of the
world to speak against these violation of human rights.
4. Appeal to Muslims everywhere to help their brothers and sisters in
Moluccus (Maluku) with basic humanitarian aid so they can defend
themselves against the violence carried out on them.
We the Muslims in north America, particularly those associated with IMSA
deeply regret these tragedies. We pray that Allah (all praises belong to
Him) always give us patience and strength and help open a way out of this
conflict.
Wassalamu'alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
January 6, 2000
Urbana, Illinois
Andy Azisi Amin
President, IMSA
Tyas U. Soekarsono
Secretary General, IMSA >>
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