Muslim and GIDI in Tolikara Reconcile in Traditional Papua Way  

TEMPO.CO, Jayapura - Religious leaders, both Muslim and Evangelical Churches in Indonesia (GIDI) made peace in the yard of the local military command, Karubaga City, Tolikara on Wednesday, July 22, 2015.

According to Tolikara Regent Usman G. Wanimbo, peace is characterized by the typical central Papua mountainous region indigenous tribes shaking of hands.

The handshake is by both pinching each other’s middle finger and index finger then pulling it to make a snapping sound. After the handshake, they then hug each other.

The peace ceremony begins with an apology for the incident that occurred Tolikara by the Chairman of the GIDI Tolikara, Nayus Wenda, and GIDI Tolikara Secretary, Marthen Jingga.

Then, greeted by one Muslim leader, Ali Mukhtar, who requested that the other Muslims in the area of Papua or the Indonesian region do not make any disturbing statements.

"Currently the situation is conducive and economic activity has resumed. The incident occurred just two hours, after which it finished with no continuity," said Tolikara Regent Usman G. Wanimbo, to reporters when met when visiting shooting victims at regional hospital at Dok 2, Wednesday night.

According to Usman, the institute has conducted reconciliation and healing around 12pm that same day. "From the peace ceremony, the two sides agreed to apologize to each other and agree to develop the region and secure Tolikara together," he said.

Usman added that the displaced stay at a former regent's office where houses and kiosks will later be rebuilt.

Before the ceremony of peace, the process started with voluntary work together in cleaning the debris after the fire.

CUNDING LEVI