It
has only been TEN DAYS after the Islamic Ummah celebrated the
'Eidul Fitri 1432 H, and an inter-religious/groups riot
happened again in Ambon, reminding us of the previous
inter-religious/groups tumult in the 'Eidul Fitri of 1421 H
(19th January 1999 AD). The modus is the same, the killings of
Muslims by Christian citizens, the Muslims thus retaliated,
and then horizontal conflict broke out which claims many
lives.The riots that erupted on 10th September 2011, coincided with the momentum of the commemoration of the WTC 11/9/2011 attack in America, it is as if a series of mournings for the Muslims in regions of the world dominated by non-Muslim governments or apparatuses. How not? The violence which the police said was triggered by a solo accident of an Muslim ojek (motorcycle operator) operator, Darkin Saiman, in the mainly Christian area, quickly erupted into riotings.
The Head of the Police Criminal Investigation Body, Commissioner General Sutarman explained: “There was an ojek operator (Darkin Saiman) who actually had a solo accident, but was instead beaten up by a certain group (Christians), resulting in revenge after the funeral,” said Sutarman from the Mabes Polri, Jakarta, (11/9/2011).
In agreement with that, a report from the victims' families expressed, “The helmet belonging to Darkin Saiman was still intact, but his head was severely broken from the blows. There was also a stab wound on his back.”
It is clear that the unrest was triggered by the persecution against the Muslim ojek operator in the Christian territory which had caused his death. It was not a solo accident or as result of provocation as claimed by the police. But the security forces or local government did not immediately arrest the perpetrators of the persecution/beatings, but they are instead diverting attention by threatening the SMS provocateur. Based on the above facts, the Majelis Mujahidin is conveying the following statements:
First, the police and security personnels' duty must be to protect the interests of the people, be they Muslims or Non-Muslims, not making religion as a political commodity and a tool to pit people against each other.
Second, immediately arrest the perpetrators of the persecution from the Christian side, not diverting the public attention by making the excess as an object of solution for the conflict. Let alone threatening the 'SMS spreading provocateur', while the Muslims casualties continue to rise, while the parties involved in the death of Darkin Saiman are untouched by the law. This will definitely trigger a new conflict. The testimonies of Commissioner General Sutarman, the families and the photographs of the victims are enough for the police to make a quick and decisive action.
Third, forensic investigation on victims who died from the 'hot leads' must be carried out. Who shot them, the security forces or the armed civilians? If the shootings came from the civilians, where did they get those weapons from and how did they get them? If the shootings came from any apparatus, there is no way for him to act alone without the command from his superior, which means the apparatuses are no longer neutral and fair in handling matters on the ground, then the 'screening' of the armed apparatuses or civilians must be performed.
Fourth, the domination by the Christian in the security forces, as well as the local government in Ambon, must be reduced, in order not to cause social, political and security discrimination.
Fifth, the Muslims in Indonesia must be informed when the case is engineered towards hostility against the Ambonese Muslims caused by the discriminatory attitudes of the police and security personnels. Therefore, the Majelis Mujahidin proclaims jihad against anyone who attacks the Muslims in Ambon. The readiness of the Muslims to help their brothers and sisters in Ambon must be prepared.
Thus, we convey this statement as a contribution to resolve the case in Ambon in a complete and dignified way, without the intervention of political and religious sentiment.
Yogyakarta, 15 Shawal 1432 H/ 13 September 2011 AD
Lajnah Tanfidziyah Majelis Mujahidin