Makassar

Makassar

Timothy Tay Leave a Comment

by Timothy Tay

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 Makassar , Once the trade centre of the Spice Islands but today it is better known for being the power centre of Jemaah Islamiah (JI).
 The connection between Makassar and Australia traced back before the European arrival as evidenced by the maritime activities carried out by Makassans with the indigenous people of northern Australia.

More recently Makassar was linked to Australia but in a less favorable light when some Makassar-trained terrorists carried out bombing acts targeting Australians in Bali and Jakarta.

 Jemal Ali is a becak-cab driver and is proud of his city where a mosque can be found at earshot all over the metropolis of 1.2m. State-sponsored radio and television stations aired at all hours the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. 
 It is no wonder that Jemal understood well the scriptures of his faith when prompted to describe the person Nabi Isa (Jesus Christ) he correctly stated that He alone is the Holy One that came from heaven.

Like his fellow Muslims he acknowledged that the ticket to heaven remained a mystery that Allah dispenses according to his mercy. Earning the rights to enter the gates of heaven include much fasting, prayer, charity and fighting in jihad. On this jihad path Bashir1) www | pdf | : 2002 Bali bombings, Wiki and Hambali had lured many JI followers with express tickets to paradise via suicide bombing attacks on infidels. From Makassar JI fighters were sent to the frontline city of Poso in central Sulawesi to commit acts of murder targeting Christians and bombing of church buildings.

For this reason God’s grace abounds even more in Makassar as witnessed by the small but vibrant church community. Even before the month of Ramadan (muslims fast) many Indonesian Christians observed a 40-day fast and gathered regularly to pray. It is no wonder the Church in the island of Sulawesi (Makassar being the state capital) is witnessing many miraculous acts that gave much encouragement to the Church but confounded the Muslims.

And this year came a report of the Meko phenomenon (Meko is located just outside Poso) when an eight-year old child, Selvin Bungge,2) www | pdf | : New Signs of Various Breakthroughs Are Emerging In Indonesia was wonderfully used by God for miraculous healings to both Christians and Muslims alike.

Acts of love and effective prayers are keys that Christians in Indonesia are using to unlock the bondage that gripped the largest Muslim nation in existence.

Directing Muslims like Jemal to the Holy One of God as the Way, the Truth and the Life and the only means to the Father (John 14:6) will release Muslims from a life of meaningless servitude into a life of freedom based on a loving relationship with the Savior Jesus Christ.

Love your neighbour, bless and pray for Indonesia.

References   [ + ]

1. ↑ www | pdf | : 2002 Bali bombings, Wiki
2. ↑ www | pdf | : New Signs of Various Breakthroughs Are Emerging In Indonesia