Minister Of Religion Condemns The Perpetrators Of Church Bombings In Samarinda In Today's Memory, November 14, 2016

A portrait of the crime scene conducted by the Gegana Team of the East Kalimantan Police at the Ecumenical Church, Samarinda on November 14, 2016. (ANTARA/Amirullah)

JAKARTA Memories of today, 23 years ago, November 14, 2016, the Minister of Religion (Menag) Lukman Hakim Saifudin strongly condemned the perpetrators of the bombing in front of the Ecukumene Samarinda church, East Kalimantan (Kaltim). He called the perpetrators of the bombing as non-religious people.

Previously, Christians in East Kalimantan seemed to be late in Sunday worship activities at the Ecumenical Church. Disasters also appeared. An unknown person came when the church congregation had just finished worshiping. Molotov cocktails were thrown and claimed lives.

The act of terror using a religious narrative is the most heinous act. Those who in the name of religion then hurt or kill others are not a form of religious teachings. This action clearly disturbs the nuances of diversity in Indonesia.

Once again, Indonesia was tested by the emergence of a Molotov bomb terror that exploded in front of the Ecumenical Church in Samarinda on November 13, 2016. The explosion occurred when Christians had just held Sunday services.

Suddenly an unknown person threw a Molotov cocktail in the church yard. This condition made the perpetrators chase and run away. Residents finally arrested the perpetrator who was wearing the clothes that read 'Jihad', Way of Life. However, the arrest did not make the whole of Indonesia calm.

The horror actually emerged from the Molotov bombing. Four toddlers were injured by Molotov cocktails one of them later died the following day. The act of terror using religious shields has received criticism from everywhere.

Not a few have questioned the conscience of the perpetrators of the bombing. The perpetrators were labeled as non-religious. The criticism also came from the leader of the Nahdlatul Ulama Islamic mass organization (NU), Said Aqil Siradj. He strongly condemned the bombing that took place in Samarinda.

The bombing was clearly against religious teachings. The perpetrators are also considered not to understand the meaning of Pancasila, especially Indonesia's diversity.

NU strongly condemns incidents of violence by and on behalf of any name. Including what happened this morning to our brothers at the Ecumenical Church, Samarinda, "said Said Aqil via Twitter / X @saidaqil account, November 13, 2016.

Criticism also emerged from the Minister of Religion, Lukman Hakim Syaifuddin on November 14, 2016. He strongly condemns the perpetrators of the bombing. Lukman considers them as religious people. Lukman underlies his thoughts because all religions prohibit the destruction of houses of worship.

All religions are considered not to tolerate violent behavior, let alone killing fellow humans. Living in Indonesia must of course uphold diversity. Diversity is the true face of Indonesia. That face should be maintained, not fought, let alone considered as an enemy.

Lukman also invited all Indonesian people to support the police in thoroughly investigating the perpetrators of the bombing. He considered that the police would reveal who was involved in the bombing, network, and support.

"Essentially, the bomb explosion at the church house of worship was not an act taken by religious believers," said Lukman after inaugurating the Hajj Marriage and Manasik Hall Building in Sumenep Regency District as quoted on the Sumenepkab.go.id page, November 14, 2016.