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Ambonese Muslims and Christians gather to clean churches,
mosques
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The
Jakarta Post
June
22, 2003
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Ambonese Muslims and Christians gather to clean churches,
mosques
AMBON, Maluku (Antara): Some 400 Muslims and Christians living in the Ahuru area,
Sirimau subdistrict, gathered on Sunday to clean the community's churches and
mosques.
This is the first time the two groups came together in a community activity since
sectarian conflict broke out in Maluku province on January 19, 1999.
Despite heavy rains around the Maluku capital of Ambon, the people continued their
work, along with a number of local military and civilian apparatuses.
Muslim Ambonese were seen cleaning the remnants of the damaged Yakobus and
Petra churches and trimming brush and weeds surrounding the two houses of
worship, while the Christian Ambonese cleaned the slightly damaged Al Huda
mosque.
The two community groups looked content during the activity after having lived in
refugee camps for about four years to escape the conflict, which claimed thousands of
lives.
Task force commander of "Arhanudse 11" Col. Haris Sarjana said the community
activity was the first step in repatriating 300 Ahuru families to their home villages.
Haris said his men had been coordinating with both Muslim and Christian community
leaders to accelerate the renovation and rebuilding of damaged houses and
community buildings.
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