Muslims Plan To Guard Indonesian Churches
On X-Mas

09 Dec. 2005
Reuters

Jakarta, Dec 9 (Reuters)--Volunteers from Indonesia's largest Islamic organisation will guard churches across the world's most populous muslim nation on christmas amid fears of terrorist attacks on those places, the group said on friday.

Jakarta police have said they would boost security in the capital ahead of christmas to avoid a repeat of the 2000 christmas eve bombings on churches in several Indonesian cities, including in the country's capital.

A youth wing affiliated with Indonesia's largest muslim group 'Nahdatul Ulama,' some 40 million strong, told Reuters that members would guard churches for the coming christmas festivities and it had persuaded youths from other religions to join the project.

"We have an annual programme to set up posts to secure christmas. For this year, I have contacted groups from other religions like the Hindus and Buddhists and they have responded positively," said Tatang Hidayat, national coordinator of NU's Banser group, known for its military-like uniform.

Hidayat said the volunteers would closely collaborate with existing police operations and the churchs' own security.

Around 17,000 policemen are expected to safeguard christmas celebrations in Jakarta alone.

The spate of bombings in 2000 killed at least 19 people, including a Banser member guarding a church in East Jakarta.

Around 85 percent of Indonesia's 220 million people are muslim. christians form the second largest religious group in the country as a whole, as well as in Jakarta.

courtesy of:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/JAK263907.htm