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MAKASSAR
Once the trade centre of the Spice Islands but today it
is better known for being the power centre of Jemaah Islamiah (JI). The
connection between Makassar and Australia traced back before the European
arrival as evidenced by the maritime activities carried out by Makassans
with the indigenous people of northern Australia. More recently Makassar
was linked to Australia but in a less favorable light when some Makassar-trained
terrorists carried out bombing acts targeting Australians in Bali and
Jakarta.
Jemal
Ali is a becak-cab driver and is proud of his city where a mosque can
be found at earshot all over the metropolis of 1.2M. State-sponsored radio
and television stations aired at all hours the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
It is no wonder that Jemal understood well the scriptures of his faith
when prompted to describe the person Nabi Isa (Jesus Christ) he correctly
stated that He alone is the Holy One that came from heaven. Like his fellow
Muslims he acknowledged that the ticket to heaven remained a mystery that
Allah dispenses according to his mercy. Earning the rights to enter the
gates of heaven include much fasting, prayer, charity and fighting in
jihad. On this jihad path Bashir
and Hambali
had lured many JI followers with express tickets to paradise via suicide
bombing attacks on infidels. From Makassar JI fighters were sent to the
frontline city of Poso in central Sulawesi to commit acts of murder targeting
Christians and bombing of church buildings.
For this reason God's grace abounds even more in Makassar as witnessed
by the small but vibrant church community. Even before the month of Ramadan
(muslims fast) many Indonesian Christians observed a 40-day fast and gathered
regularly to pray. It is no wonder the Church in
the island of Sulawesi (Makassar being the state capital) is witnessing
many miraculous acts that gave much encouragement to the Church but confounded
the Muslims.
And this year came a report of the Meko phenomenon (Meko is located
just outside Poso) when an eight-year old child, Selvin
Bungge, was wonderfully used by God for miraculous healings to both
Christians and Muslims alike.
Acts of love and effective prayers are keys that Christians in Indonesia
are using to unlock the bondage that gripped the largest Muslim nation
in existence. Directing Muslims like Jemal to the Holy One of God as the
Way, the Truth and the Life and the only means to the Father (John
14:6) will release Muslims from a life of meaningless servitude into
a life of freedom based on a loving relationship with the Savior Jesus
Christ.
Love your neighbour, bless and pray for Indonesia.
Timothy
Tay
