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Press Release

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

For Immediate Release

INDONESIAN CHURCH LEADER MURDERED
MORE TROUBLE IN CENTRAL SULAWESI
 

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.

November 18, 2003 The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) www.persecution.org has become aware of the gruesome murder of Indonesian leader, Oranje Tadjodja and his nephewYohanes Tadjodja on November 16, 2003. Both bodies, found 20 km from Poso, indicated death by extreme violence.

Mr. Oranje Tadjodja was the treasurer for the Synod of Protestant Churches (GKST), and had been newly appointed to preach in a GKST church located in a Christian village that had been recently attacked by Muslim extremists. ICC met with GKST leaders in mid September, where they expressed their concerns to us.

Just hours prior to these murders, police attempted to arrest three men for the Oct. 12 attacks on several Christian villages in which 10 Christians were killed (the village in which Mr. Oranje Tadjodja was preaching was one of the ones attacked).  One of the suspects,  Hamid Sudin was shot and killed after reportedly attacking the policemen. The other two men quickly surrendered to police. News quickly spread of Hamid’s death and thousands of protestors surrounded the police station. Police dispersed the protestors and there were no injuries but there is speculation that the death of Oranje and his nephew along with two other Christians were acts of revenge on behalf of Jamaah Islamiyah (JI),

With predominantly Christian populations, Poso (where the deaths occurred), Ambon, and Manado are Christian strongholds and remain vulnerable to the threat of violence as radical Muslims seek to eliminate the Christian presence in this area. The goal of the extremist Muslims is to kill and drive out the Christians so that Sharia law can be introduced.

ICC urges Christians to write a letter to President Bush requesting him to re-draft a 157 million dollar educational aid package to Indonesia by exploring alternatives such as providing trained teachers instead of sending cash. Moderate Muslim government leaders expect that at least 40% of the money designated for education, if given in cash, will filter down into the hands of terrorist groups such as the JI who appear to be responsible for these recent deaths of Christians.

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.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves."

IMPORTANT NOTE: ICC is a registered IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit charity in the United States of America. Gifts are tax deductible for U. S. tax purposes.

Copyright © 2006 International Christian Concern, Washington, D.C., USA.  All rights reserved.