Christian, Muslim leaders condemn Indonesian bomb blasts

(July 20, 2009) Christian and Muslim leaders condemned two suicide bomb blasts in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, describing them as "uncivilized acts" and urged the police to immediately apprehend the culprits. Friday’s attacks on J.W. Marriott Hotel's restaurant and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, that killed seven and wounded 50, are believed to have belonged to Jemaah Islamiyah. Father Yohanes Dwi Harsanto, executive secretary of the Indonesian bishops' Commission for Youth, said he was deeply distressed over the tragedy and urged for prayers that God may move the heart of the nation to uphold and maintain peace. Talking to UCA News he expressed hope that all religious leaders would call on their respective followers to maintain national unity. Amidhan, head of the Indonesian Ulema Council, Indonesia's top Muslim clerical body, told UCA News, "I am deeply concerned and strongly condemn the uncivilized act." He said the council "does not tolerate such violence against innocent people." The Rev. Richard Daulay, general secretary of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia, a Protestant association, also condemned the attacks and said Protestants were praying for the victims. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, has a history of terrorist attacks, including the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people, most of them foreigners. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the attack was carried out by a "terrorist group" and vowed to arrest the perpetrators.