persecution

Families of Beheaded Indonesian Girls Forgive Killers

By Lucille Talusan
CBN News Asia Correspondent

CBN.com – POSO, Indonesia - The three families who suffered the loss of their young daughters when they were brutally murdered, are still in shock and grief, not only because they were too young to die -- Alfita was 19, Teressia was 18, and Yarni was 15 -- but because of the horrible way they were murdered.

Their bodies were found headless in a coconut field, while their heads were found in different parts of Poso, wrapped in black plastic bags.

This is the route that Alfita, Teressia, Yarni, and Ida took everyday on their way to school at 6:30 in the morning. But on that fateful day, October 29, a group of unidentified men wearing masks brutally murdered the girls. As the families are grieving, there is again a growing concern, if indeed, there is a resurgence of the old religious conflict between the Muslims and the Christians here in Poso.

In an exclusive television interview, Nursalem Mawela told CBN News that he is thankful his daughter Noviana survived the assault. Noviana herself was hacked on the face, but she was able to escape.

Nursalem believes that the girls were targeted for attack because they defied Idul Fitre, an important Muslim holiday signifying the end of Ramadan.

"They must have offended the Muslim extremists because in this season of Ramadan, there should be no school, but the Christian school is open,” explained Nursalem.

Moreover, the three victims were very active Christian leaders in school prayer meetings and church. Pastor Mastin says the deaths of Alfita, Teressia, and Yarni are not in vain. She calls them martyrs because their deaths have brought unity to the Christian churches in Poso, and their lives encouraged them to be strong in the faith.

Pastor Mastin said, “We hope peace will come to Poso. Because of the three girls who were martyred, we are challenged, and our faith is put to a test like gold. But we become strong because of their example.”

Community leader John Mandagi believes the violent incidents in Poso are politically motivated.

"The Christians and the National Muslims now have a harmonious relationship,” Mondagi said, “and so there is a third party, the terrorist group, that is being used by corrupt politicians. They try to provoke both the Christians and Muslims to fight, but this will not happen again."

Several big projects are now underway in Poso, including the construction of an electrical plant, oil refinery, and a new airport. The area is also rich in natural resources, such as ebony and minerals.

Some analysts say that corrupt officials want to destabilize the region so they may seize control of these huge investments. They are saddened that money and greed have cost the lives of precious, innocent young women.

Alfita wanted to become a pastor. She was just five months away from high school graduation. Although she is no longer with them, Alfita's friends continue to sing her favorite worship song --a song they say she may be singing now in heaven.

Difficult as it is, Yarni's father and the parents of Alfita and Teressia have released forgiveness to the murderers of their daughters. They believe that it is God who will judge them.

Markus Sambuwe, the father of one of the girls, remarked," I am really angry, but the Holy Spirit touched my heart and changed me. I forgive them just as Jesus has forgiven my sins."

Several suspects have been arrested in the Christian school girl beheadings, but just a week after those brutal murders, two other Christian girls were shot by snipers.

While tensions remain high here, so far, Christians are remaining true to their faith. They are responding in a spirit of forgiveness and restraint, by turning the other cheek.

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