Release International

Churches in Maluku province fear that extremists may be reviving a campaign of anti-Christian violence after four believers were brutally murdered in one village.

The village of Horale on Seram island was virtually razed to the ground when it was reportedly assaulted by Muslims from neighbouring Saleman.

The four Christians who died include a six-year-old girl and her grandmother. Fifty-six others were wounded. News of the assault, which took place on May 2, has been slow to filter out because of the village's remote location.

Barnabas Fund reports that many people were left homeless after 120 homes were set alight. The village school, three churches and 15 hectares of crops also went up in flames.

Barnabas reports that similarly remote areas have also been attacked in recent months. This has sparked concerns that the Moluccas, the scene of much anti-Christian violence between 1999 and 2001, may once again be the target of extremist attacks.

Special police forces have been mobilised to guard the border between Horale and Saleman villages.

Meanwhile, in Citeko, west of Java, hundreds of militants tried to burn down a church on May 21, amid reports that its congregation was planning to erect a new building. Police have so far arrested four suspects, according to AsiaNews.

And, in Jakarta, extremists attacked a religious tolerance rally on May 19 at which some 200 Christians and Muslims had gathered to call for greater religious freedom. Several protestors were injured when members of the Islamic Defenders Front rushed at them with sticks and flags, shouting 'Repent or die!'

Pray for the families of those who were killed in Horale – and for the speedy recovery of the injured. Ask God to give them all the grace to forgive.

Pray that the Indonesian authorities would take a tougher line on Islamist hardliners who seem increasingly intolerant of the Christian community.

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