Atika Shubert: Violence sends chill through Indonesians at Christmas

Atika Shubert

CNN Producer Atika Shubert describes public reaction to the Christian church bombings that horrified many Indonesians and left 15 dead on Christmas Eve.

Q: How are Indonesians reacting to the church bombings and heightened security that has followed them?

A: Many Indonesians have been shocked by the latest round of bombings -- particularly since they happened at this time of year. Christian churches are normally packed for Christmas Day services -- this year many were less than half full.

Of the worshippers who were in church, many were seen in tears.

Many Muslim leaders have asked that the normal celebrations at the end of Ramadan -- the feast of Eid al-Fitr begins on Tuesday night -- be scaled back in the light of the bombings. So the effects are being felt in that way, too.

Q: President Abdurrahman Wahid has said the bombings were a deliberate attempt to undermine his government, do people believe that?

A: Well, yes -- many Indonesians do believe that there is a political rather than religious motivation for these bombings -- and for previous incidents such as the attacks on the stock exchange and the Philippine ambassador.

Of course, the government has come out and said that that is the case, that these incidents are an organized attempt to challenge its authority.

Q: Many might wonder if such an attempt at destabilization has any hope of achieving its goals. Do people believe it might?

A: The government is entering a very testing period. The bombings have shaken the public's confidence in it -- and there also have been various separatist conflicts.

It will be interesting to see if these situations are resolved next year.

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Government of Indonesia
U.S. Committee for Refugees: Political History of Aceh
Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights
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