Release International

Hundreds of troops were deployed to a Central Maluku province to quell riots which began after a Christian teacher was accused of blasphemy.

Two churches and 50 other buildings were set alight when violence erupted in Masohi, a town on Seram island in the centre of the Moluccas.

Police said rioting began after word spread that a Christian primary school teacher had 'stained Islam' in Letwaru village, which is a predominantly Muslim area. No details of the alleged blasphemy have been reported – except that a Muslim pupil took offence and told his parents. Reuters news agency says that the teacher is now in custody.

Local police chief Brig Gen Muji Waluyo said that more than 400 police and soldiers had been sent to the area after rioters went on the rampage on December 9. The Moluccas have been relatively peaceful since the intercommunal unrest of 1999 to 2001.

Meanwhile, churches across Indonesia are being encouraged to 'create a peaceful society' in an ecumenical Christmas message which, it is hoped, will be read out at church services on December 27 and 28.

In their joint statement, the Indonesian Bishops' Conference and the Communion of Churches in Indonesia urge churches to 'conquer evil with kindness'.

(Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, UCAN)

Pray for Christians in Letwaru village – and particularly for the primary school teacher at the centre of this blasphemy row.

Ask God to strengthen the resolve of His church in Indonesia to pursue peace.

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