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DO SOMETHING: Hundreds of Indonesian Shi’a Muslims – one of the two major denominations of Islam – left their village after it was attacked by anti-Shi’a groups at the end of December 2011, and are now being forced to return even though there are risks of more attacks!
Indonesia authorities must take measures to protect the safety and freedom of religion of all religious minorities.
From now until 24 February 2012, do something to urge the Indonesia authorities to immediately guarantee the safety of the Shi’a community in Sampang, East Java.
What happened?
On 28 December 2011, Shi’a religious leaders from Nangkrenang village in Sampang district, Madura Island were warned by the Omben sub-district police that their community would be attacked by anti-Shi’a groups. They requested police protection, but only one police and one military officer were there on the morning of 29 December when a mob of around 500 hundred people (some carrying sharp weapons) entered the village and set fire to a place of worship, boarding school and various homes in the area.
According to local sources, the officers did not intervene but instead recorded the attacks on their mobile phones. Although 25 Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officers arrived at the scene an hour later, nothing was done prevent the attacks or protect the community.
After the attacks, around 335 villagers, including at least 107 children, were evacuated to a temporary shelter at a sports complex.
On 4 January 2011 the Sampang district authorities and police started pressuring community members to return to their homes. Water supplies to the shelter were reduced and the authorities even threatened to evict some community members from the shelter! Eventually, the local government authorities forced them onto trucks back to their village on the evening of 12 January 2012.
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Send a letter to the Head of the Indonesian National Police and the Governor of East Java just by adding your name below! We will deliver all the letters to authorities by post with your details appearing as below.
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Add your name AND copy and paste this link – http://bit.ly/yWxY09 - on Facebook and Twitter to share with your friends – can you challenge yourself to get 10 friends to take action?
What are you waiting for? ADD YOUR NAME NOW!Dear General/Governor, I am appalled by the news that the Nangkrenang village in Sampang district, East Java, was attacked by anti-Shi’a groups. More importantly, I am concerned that the Shi’a community is at risk of further attacks. Therefore, I am writing to urge you to:
Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, [Your full name] |
Additional information:
One person was arrested for the attack but has since been released.
Many of the children were afraid to go back to their homes and schools. Conditions in the shelter were reported to be inadequate, with limited access to clean water and sanitation. In fact, the community refused to leave the shelter until they received adequate protection from the police and the perpetrators of the attack were brought to justice.
This is not the first time the Shi’a community in Sampang, East Java has faced intimidation and attacks – it happened in 2006 and 2011. They have also reportedly been pressured by anti-Shi’a groups to convert to Sunni Islam.
Could I suggest that “do something” is not an adequate slogan?
If you want people to write in support of someone, a better slogan is “Send an email” or “Join our campaign.”
If you want the authorities to defend someone, say so.
If you want people who violently attack others arrested, tried and punished, say so.
“Do something” gives a lazy person an excuse, and the authorities a let-out. It’s so vague it’s meaningless.
Thanks for feedback!
My calling to the authorities in indonesia to know that your country is our pride,you have to treat your subject equaly despite his creed affliation.you remember you will give an account before Allah s.w.a. On how you administer you people.