Here's the English version of the press release. Translated by a Malaysian.
This is the English text of a press statement released
by Muslim and Christian religious leaders at a joint
press conference on Monday, 17th January 2005 in
Jakarta.
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Interfaith Press Statement Concerning Humanitarian
Work in Aceh
Concerning the destructive issues that emerge around
the tragedy in Aceh, specifically news that was
reported in the Washington Post (America) dated 13th
January 2004, and the Indonesian edition that was
released in the Republika on the 14th of January 2004,
we feel the need to clarify the following points to
the public:
1. Christian communities in Indonesia, specifically
PGI and KWI, reject all efforts to wrongfully use
humanitarian mission as a way of Christianizing
people. This is in direct opposition to the spirit
and teachings of true Christianity.
2. We appeal to international Christian communities,
that if they wish to help children affected by the
tsunami in Aceh and North Sumatra, they should work in
collaboration with NU and Muhammadiyah, as well as
other Islamic institutions. This is an agreement
among religious leaders from PGI, KWI, NU and PP
Muhammadiyah, specifically in handling the future of
children who have suffered from the tsunami.
3. We welcome the efforts of the Government in
preventing the children who have suffered from the
tsunami in Aceh from being brought out of Aceh, as
well as the efforts of the Government to prevent the
steps of WorldHelp. According to recent news in the
Washington Post, dated 14th Janury 2005, WorldHelp has
canceled their earlier plans.
4. We appeal for people to use wisdom in responding
to issues that concern humanitarian work, and not be
easily caught up by rumours that have no basis.
5. We hope that all polemics that are unproductive to
humanitarian work in Aceh and North Sumatra be swiftly
ended. Now is the time for us to work together to
overcome this national disaster as swiftly as
possible.
May God the Creator and Guardian of Life bless our
efforts.
Jakarta, 15th January 2005
Jointly signed by:
Pdt. Dr. Andreas A. Yewangoe (Chairperson of
Indonesian Communion of Churches)
Rm. Benny Susetyo, Pr. (Executive Secretary,
Interfaiths Commission of Indonesian Bishops'
Conference)
Prof. Dr. Ahmad Syafi'i Ma'arif (Chairperson of
Muhammadiyah)
K.H. Hasyim Muzadi (Chairperson of Nahdlatul Ulama)
Pdt. Dr. Albertus Patty
Pdt. Dr. Martin L. Sinaga
Pdt. Sylvana Ranti-Apituley, M.Th.
Pdt. Dr. Lies Mailoa-Marantika
Pdt. Dr. Robert Borong
Pdt. Ioanes Rakhmat, M.Th.
Pdt. Kuntadi Sumadikarya, M.Th.
Supported by:
1. MADIA (Masyarakat Dialog Antara Agama)
2. ICRP (Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace)
3. Freedom Institute
4. YMCA (Young Men Christian Association) Indonesia
5. P3M (Pusat Pengembangan Pesantren dan Masyarakat)
6. JIL (Jaringan Islam Liberal)
7. Lakpesdam NU (Lembaga Kajian dan Pengembangan
Sumber Manusia Nahdlatul Ulama)
8. ICIP (International Center for Islam and Pluralism)
9. JPS (Jamaah Persaudaraan Sejati)
10.Wahid Institute
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