"PGLII deplored the incident that hurt inter-religious harmony and the holiness of Idul Fitri celebrated by our brothers and sisters in Tolikara. We do not justify any kind of violence that would harm our brotherhood," PGLII general chairman Ronny Mandang said at a press conference held here on Saturday.
PGLII made the statement in its capacity as an institution that oversees the Evangelical Church in Indonesia (GIDI). This follows an attack on Muslims who were performing Eid prayers at the yard of the 1702/JWY Sub-District Military Command.
Apart from expressing regret, PGLII also extended its sympathy to the Muslims whose Eid prayers were disrupted.
"We also wish to express our sympathy to one GIDI member who died and 11 others who were wounded in the incident," Ronny said.
PGLII considered the incident to be a local event that did not reflect national conditions.
In view of that, Ronny appealed to the authorities to settle the case through fair law enforcement.
"The government must also investigate the root cause of the incident," he added.
At 7am on Friday a crowd believed to be GIDI members attacked a group of Muslims who were conducting Eid prayers in Karubaga, the capital of Tolikara district.
According to PGLII, one person was killed and 11 others wounded, all GIDI members, following a fire that was set by unknown persons.
The press conference was also attended by the general chairman of the Communion of Indonesian Churches (PGI), Henriette Hutabarat-Lebang, the director general of Christian Affairs of the ministry of religious affairs, Odita Hutabarat, and the general secretary of PGLII, Freddy Soenyoto.
reporting by michael siahaan
(H-YH/INE)
(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
