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International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941
Washington DC 20006-1846
www.persecution.org
Email: iccusa@comcast.net

For Immediate Release:
 

ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC delivers humanitarian aid, trains and supports persecuted pastors, raises awareness of the problem of persecution in the US Church and is an advocate for the persecuted to the US Government.

For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 301-989-1708

International Christian Concern 2020 Pennsylvania Ave

CHRISTIANS FEAR BEING SLAUGHTERED BY MUSLIMS IN INDONESIA

Warnings of More Attacks Cause Thousands to Flee for Safety

You are free to disseminate the following news. We kindly request that you reference ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address www.persecution.org.
 

October 15, 2003  The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) www.persecution.org has just become aware of breaking news that  thousands of residents from the vicinity of Poso, Central Sulawesi  have fled their homes and jobs for fear of their lives. During the prior conflict between Christians and Muslims in 1999-2001, many Christians saw their loved ones being violently murdered by Jihad warriors as well as witnessing their houses being burning to the ground.  For many displaced people, they had only returned to their villages less than a year ago.  Now, violence has resurged in the Poso area. Between Oct 10 and 12, 2003, five primarily Christian villages were attacked leaving, in the aftermath, 11 dead, 35 Christian homes and 2 churches burned, 4 Muslim homes burned, many injured and over 200 people homeless.   Police have discovered large quantities of ammunition, grenades, and bombs in the five villages that were attacked.  On Sunday, October 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the village of Kolonedale, Morowali district, a bomb exploded. Hours later on October 13, 2003 in the village of Bega, another bomb exploded so fiercely that several neighboring villages could hear it. Fortunately, there was only one injury.

There have been many forthcoming warnings that there would be more attacks against the Christians.  There is an imminent fear of a reoccurence of the events that occurred from 1999 -2001.  Most of the displaced people are Christians fleeing to safety in Tentena from the villages of Padalembara, Pantangolemba, Buyungtaripa, Gandalari, Malewa, Galuga, Tanamawau, Tojo subdistrict between Poso and Ampana.  Although there have been some military reinforcements sent to the area since the attacks, the residents still feel unprotected.

 One Christian displaced person gave the reason for his departure, “I do not want to take any risks any longer and ignore the situation because I feel that my family has been a victim and  we have lost everything including the lives of our beloved ones.”

 ICC urges American Christians to contact Secretary of State Collin Powell and ask him
to requesting that the Government of Indonesia increase its military presence in Central Sulawesi to restore law and order and protect the lives of Christians living in this area. You may address your letter to : The Honorable Collin L. Powell Secretary of State, US Department of State,
Washington, DC 20520 or send a fax to (202) 647-2283.

ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC delivers humanitarian aid, trains and supports persecuted pastors, raises awareness of the problem of persecution in the US Church and is an advocate for the persecuted to the US Government.

For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 301-989-1708