Christian Crusaders Accused Of Preying On The Tsunami Tragedy Victims By Proselytizing
By Sanjay Sharma, Section USB - United States Of Bush
Posted on Fri Jan 14, 2005 at 06:21:13 PM EST
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia - At Friday prayers in the main mosque of Banda Aceh, the provincial capital, A senior Islamic leader warned foreign relief workers Friday of a serious backlash from Muslims if they bring Christian proselytizing to tsunami-struck Sumatra along with humanitarian help.
- "All non-governmental organizations, either domestic or international, with hidden agendas coming here with humanitarian purposes but instead proselytizing, this is what we do not like," said Dien Syamsuddin, secretary-general of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas, or religious scholars.
- "This is a reminder. Do not do this in this kind of situation," Syamsuddin said. "The Muslim community will not remain quiet. This a clear statement, and it is serious."
- Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, and Aceh is particularly conservative.
He also condemned reports the U.S.-based welfare group WorldHelp had planned to adopt 300 Acehnese children orphaned by the disaster and raise them in a Christian children's home.
- The group told The Associated Press on Thursday it had dropped the idea.
Despite the talk about a cease-fire, Indonesia's government is insisting foreign aid workers in Aceh be accompanied by army escorts — a move relief groups say will hinder their work. Indonesia is sensitive about foreign involvement in the area, and reiterated Friday that it wanted foreign troops out by late March.
