Muslims storm Protestant school in Jakarta, injuring 265 students
Muslims storm Protestant school in Jakarta, injuring 265 students
ICC Note:
A Christian high school for Theology and Biblical Studies was attacked this weekend by a Muslim mob who damaged the building and injured more than 250 students. Many students sustained head injuries, while others were burnt by Molotov cocktails. The response of the police so far has been to order an investigation into the school’s legal status and building regulations. If any violations are found, the East Jakarta District Chief will issue orders to demolish the school.
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7/28/08 Indonesia (AsiaNews) Police evacuated the Christian Theological Arastamar Institute (STT SETIA) which is located in an eastern district of the Indonesian capital after it suffered damages during clashes between Christians and Muslims over the week-end. At least 1,500 students were moved to nearby police headquarters and a local Christian-based political party. The situation remains critical and further violence between opposite factions cannot be ruled out.
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Last night hundreds of residents from the village of Kampung Pulo had taken up arms threatening to storm the school after being instigated by an imam at a local mosque who claimed that a bunch of Christian gangsters were coming to “protect” the school after it was attacked on Saturday by a Muslim mob, causing damage to the building and hurting hundreds.
In an attempt to solve the problem East Jakarta District Chief Murdani held a close door meeting with the warring parties to discuss the issue. At the same time though, he said that police would conduct a thorough investigation and check if the school’s legal status was in order and that it respected all building regulations. In case of violations he would issue orders to demolish the unlawful structures.
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“Many students suffered various injuries to the head. Others were burnt by Molotov cocktails,” Manafe said.
The violence and charges against SETIA are the work of Risman Hadi, chairman of Muslim Brotherhood Forum of Kampung Pulo Village, who in the past opposed the opening and continued existence of the Christian institute.