Story number 1 for 28 Nov 2000

We begin today in Indonesia where devout Muslims are now observing the start of Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month. Several islands in the Molucca chain have been cleared of all Christians, and many other believers say they are under siege. AMG International’s Muriel Lovestrand says that because things have already been a bit tense for their workers, this time of year could make things a bit hotter. “Ramadan enforces the idea that they are Muslims. Where many of them ordinarily, in their ordinary lives, are not very strict, during the month of Ramadan, they tend to be more strict. I would think that it might even increase the persecution.” Lovestrand says believers need the support of the church. “Pray mainly for those who are Christian, that this persecution would not cause them to lose heart or lose courage, but that they will be emboldened to witness in spite of the threat of persecution, and those who are not experiencing yet will not be intimidated.”