The Jakarta Post, November 20, 2001
Ambon stages mass prayers, city paralyzed
AMBON, Maluku (JP): Christians in Ambon, the capital of strife-torn Maluku, began
three days of mass prayers on Tuesday, paralyzing almost all activities from
administrative, schooling to public transportation both on land and sea.
The mass prayers, called Hari Perkabungan (Days of Mourning), are an expression of
growing concern in response to a series of violence which resulted in at least 10
deaths and the injury of dozens this month.
Prayers were staged in all churches as well as in many houses and public buildings.
Thousands of people took part, including civil servants, students and people from all
walks of life, bringing most activities to a halt.
Hospital workers and security personnel, however, remained on duty. Groups of police
officers and military personnel guarded the city to ensure peace.
Pattimura Airport in Laha was still operational, but almost all land and sea
transportation firms have temporarily halted services.
"These prayers are a display of concern about all the violence that has taken place
during a relatively calm period in Maluku. In this way we call on all people to assess
themselves and completely put their fate in God's hands. This mourningperiod is also
a moral movement to forge peace and unity," deputychairman of the Maluku
Protestant Church Synod Leo Lohy said.
Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina said on Tuesday that the administration could
completely understand the purpose of the prayers. "Civil servants are excused from
work to join the prayers ... after that they should go back to their daily routines," he
said. Similar support was also showed by Ambon Mayor MJ Papilaya.
After months of relative calm, Ambon was rocked by bloody violence recently when
armed rioters attacked a village.
The first major incident took place on Nov. 3 in which gunmen raided and occupied the
predominantly Christian Waimulang village in Seram islands, killing at least three
villagers. At least 1,000 residents fled the village after rioters burned down 150houses.
Later this month a spate of bombings and armed attacks occurred in several parts of
Ambon -- including a speedboat shooting on Teluk Ambon Baguala waters and a blast
at an electronics store in downtown Ambon -- which claimed at least eight lives. (49)
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