| Subject: Muslims
in East Timor reduced from 80,000 to 200
News ChannelAsia [Singapore] Dec 13, 1999
Muslims in East Timor reduced from 80,000
to 200
The Muslims used to form 10 per cent of
East Timor's Christian-dominated population, before the granting of its
independence from Indonesia recently. Today, they number only close to
200.
The Muslims have been living in East
Timor for the past 10 years, after migrating from Sumatra and other nearby
provinces of Indonesia under a government-sponsored resettlement
programme.
Just before the violence and mayhem in
September this year after the independence vote in East Timor, the Muslim
community numbered close to 80,000 people.
Following the mayhem, many fled to
Indonesian West Timor together with the withdrawal of Indonesian troops
from the province.
Religious leader Imam Jamal Jamun said
the Muslim civilians in East Timor are not politicised, so they have posed
no problems to the Timorese.
Even during the height of the turmoil,
with the militiamen going on a rampage, attacking pro-independence
supporters, the Muslim community remained unharmed.
Although some of their houses were
destroyed by arson in villages throughout East Timor, the Muslims were
spared the carnage that took the lives of hundreds of Timorese.
Still, the Muslims ran for cover in a
mosque in Dili where they continue to live today, fearing the backlash
from those Timorese who may be suspicious of the Muslims being supporters
of Indonesia.
Nevertheless, the Muslim community is
heartened by the assurance given by the Timorese leaders - Xanana Gusmao
and Bishop Carlos Belo - that the Muslims are welcome in the country if
they stay out of politics.
In a show of their sincerity, the Muslims
have voiced their readiness to become citizens of East Timor, having
fallen for the charms of this new nation which they are now prepared to
call home.
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