Six houses, eleven kiosks, and a mushala (small mosque) were burned, and a man was shot dead.

"We regret the burning of mushala and the attack on Muslims in Tolikara, which caused the loss of life during the celebrations," said the leaders in their statement.

"In regard of this event, we also push the authorities to immediately solve the problem completely and professionally by processing the actors according to the law."

"We also ask the people not to be provoked by false issues [spread by] irresponsible people."

A group of people believed to be members of the Evangelical Church of Indonesia (GIDI) went to Baitul Mustaqin Mosque in Tolikara when Muslims were performing an Eid prayer on Friday.

They protested the use of a loudspeaker during the prayer, stating that it was disturbing an event their church was holding at the same time.

A police spokesman had said that the incident was incited by a letter spread by local Christian leaders in Papua's Tolikara Regency last week, calling on Muslims not to perform the Eid el- Fitr prayer near where Christians were to attend a seminar.

On Wednesday police reported they were set to charge several suspects.

National Police chief General Badrodin Haiti said that police were investigating all claims surrounding the incident, including the spreading of flyers purportedly from the GIDI — the largest religious group in the district.

GIDI has denied distributing the flyers and instead accused police of inciting the riot by firing at some GIDI youths "peacefully protesting" the use of loudspeakers in the mass prayer.

Source

• globalindonesianvoices.com
• shanghaidaily.com
• antaranews.com
• radionz.co.nz
• thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com
• Image: muslimvillage.com

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Committee for Interfaith Relations, have written a letter of support addressed "our Muslim brothers and sisters" offering them "best wishes for a blessed and holy Ramadan."

"Catholics share with you a commitment to spiritual growth, self-improvement and solidarity with the human family."

"In his first Ramadan message, Pope Francis said that the offer of good wishes on the occasion of our neighbour's religious celebration is a way for us to share their joy," said the writer, Carlo David, writing on behalf of the committee.

"In that fraternal spirit, we look forward to sharing an Iftar meal with you during this holy month and in this sharing, we look forward to deepening our understanding of each other and strengthening our warm relationship."

Ramadan is the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar.

It is the time when all members of the Muslim faith commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to the prophet Mohammad.

Although it is a month of fasting when no food or drink is taken between sunrise and sundown, Ramadan is also a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship.

Last Saturday in Auckland residents held a night market in Mount Roskill to bring together Muslims and non-Muslims to celebrate.

One of the organisers, 31-year-old Mohamed Jaballah, said it was about bringing together the melting-pot that is the Muslim community.

"We are so diverse. We are literally from all over the world."

He said this diversity was what made the community so unique, and with so much to offer.

The invitation was also extended to those outside the community, and Mr Jaballah said events like these would allow the public to get to know real Muslims.

"It's always a positive thing to see non-Muslims coming to these events, to interact with us and to see real Muslims, not the Muslims you see on TV, but actually us."

He said he had seen many non-Muslims attending the event with friends, and even coming along on their own.

Source

• Supplied
• radionz.co.nz
• Image: radionz.co.nz

"The Pope prays for all the people who speak Arabic. God bless you all," he said in Arabic at the Oct. 10 general audience in St. Peter's Square.

The Catholic News Agency also reported that for the first time, a priest also read an Arabic summary of the Pope's remarks on how the Second Vatican Council was a "moment of grace" in the Church's history.

"In the wake of his recent trip to Lebanon … the Holy Father intends to express his perpetual concern and support for Christians in the Middle East, and to remind everyone of their duty to pray and work for peace in the region," said an October 9 statement from the Vatican Press Office.

CNA reported that Arab Christians welcomed the decision to include Arabic as one of the official languages used at the Pope's weekly general audience.

The Pope's general audience is held every Wednesday. It allows him to meet with pilgrims to Rome and teach them on a particular area of Church teaching or spirituality.

The audience also affords him an opportunity to comment on contemporary issues around the globe.

Reuters reported that the Vatican is concerned about the exodus from the Middle East of Christians, many of whom leave because they fear for their safety. Christians now comprise five percent of the population of the region, down from 20 percent a century ago.

According to some estimates, the current population of 12 million Christians in the Middle East could halve by 2020 if security and birth rates continue to decline.

Vatican officials said that speaking Arabic during the audiences, which are broadcast live on television and radio across the world, would send a comforting word to Christians in a region which is home to many Christian holy places.

They also hope the pope addressing Muslims directly could improve sometimes strained relations with Islam.

Sources

• Catholic News Agency/EWTN
• Reuters
• Image: Reuters