20 July 2009

Indonesia weeps again

A row of flower arrangements expressing sympathy for the victims of the bombings, donated by local businesses and families, across the street from the Marriot Hotel, July 21, Jakarta.

The 17th of July, 2009, has become yet another date marred by tragedy in the annals of Indonesian history. On that day, two suicide bombers exploded bombs that they had smuggled into hotels using briefcases and then assembled in the rooms where they were staying. When they set off the metal detector on entering the hotel and were asked, “Is there a laptop in that briefcase?” they would answer yes and be allowed to proceed.

The two hotels, the Marriott and the Ritz Carlton, are extremely popular breakfast spots for expatriates, particularly on Friday mornings when many leading business people gather to network. Those who planned the bombings were aware of this. Prior to detonating his bomb, one bomber positioned himself directly in front of a room where a group of Western executives were sharing breakfast.

I was in Jakarta but was safely tucked away in my inconspicuous office at the back of the seminary complex. I didn’t hear the explosions but quickly heard the news via a text message and watched the events unfold on the Internet.

In the aftermath of the bombings, it became abundantly clear that the Indonesian people do not agree with the terrorists’ methods, their murder of innocent people, or their interpretation of the Qur’an. I have seen evidence of their shock and outrage nearly everywhere I have turned in the days since the bombings took place.

FLowers at the Mariot Hotel that was bombed in Jakarta on July 17, 2009.

There was instant response through social networks on the Internet. Within a very short time, a new Facebook page entitled “Indonesia Unite” had 12,000 members. The same two words circulated on Twitter and became the number one “tag” (shared phrase) worldwide over the weekend. An Indonesian band’s YouTube video entitled, “Kami Tidak Takut” (“We are not Afraid”) has had thousands of hits. The song calls for the country to resist being intimidated by those who resort to violence and thereby weaken Indonesia.

Even if you don’t understand what all these computer terms mean, let me explain it in more simple terms: the people of Indonesia are using the Internet and cell phones in a variety of creative ways to tell the world that they do not agree with what happened last Friday. They also remind each other that they should be supportive of one other rather than divided through violence.

Most importantly, in a country with a predominantly Muslim population, many Muslims are publicly declaring that what the bombers have done is not in accordance with the teachings of their holy scriptures. One Muslim woman on Facebook wrote, “The jihad they think they are fighting is a false one,” and adds that their actions are a smear on Islam. Another writes that she is keeping the victims in her prayers with the sincere hope they are at God’s side in heaven. Meanwhile, a Muslim man refuses to believe the bombers will ever enjoy such an exalted place. Others refer to the bombers as cowards. The song says that they are not to be regarded as heroes.

These sentiments circulating through cyberspace are also evident in the real world. A positive sign is that life continues to go on in Jakarta. I went for a stroll on Friday night and went past a McDonald's and a Pizza Hut and a Starbucks and a Burger King. All of them were filled to capacity with Indonesians, or at least with those who weren't at the Harry Potter movie opening across the street. So America capitalism is alive and well even on the day of such a tragedy. It would be wrong to think that the violence comes out of any hatred of the United States on the part of Indonesians.

The newspapers on Saturday morning reflected the country’s collective shock, with headlines reading, “Indonesia Weeps Again” and “Black Friday.” The articles, the editorials, and the reports of government officials were one in speaking out against what had happened and calling for swift investigation and persecution of the guilty parties. Nowhere have I heard a single word of support or praise for what has happened. No one has claimed responsibility, which I believe is a sign that the perpetrators are aware that they are being condemned rather than applauded.

Perhaps the word I have heard most often from the Indonesians on the street over the past few days is simply, “Why?” They can’t understand why after four years of peace and prosperity, people would want to destroy the positive image that Indonesia has begun to enjoy.

The most common answer to the question is that an extremist minority in Indonesia seeks to turn the country into an Islamic nation. Pursuant of that goal, they seek to discredit the current president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (commonly referred to as SBY). SBY, himself a devout Muslim, leads the country as a pluralist nation that respects religious freedom. On July 8th, the people reelected SBY to a second five-year term, in what was only their second direct election of a president in the 64-year history of Indonesia, the third-largest democracy in the world.

Let us pray that the many voices calling for peace and unity be heard and continue to inspire the Indonesian people to resist those who condone violence and separatism.

Let us pray for the families, friends, and colleagues of those who lost their lives in the appalling violent acts of Friday, July 17, 2009.

Let us pray as well for those who were involved in and supported the bombings—that God will open their minds and soften their hearts to see the futility of using violence to achieve their goals, and that they might “beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Micah 4:3), and turn their bombs into something life-giving rather than destructive.

In Christ’s peace,

The 2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 113