Ethno-Religious Violence in Indonesia : From Soil to God

From 1999 until 2000, the conflict in North Maluku, Indonesia, saw the most intense communal violence of Indonesia s period of democratization. This book examines this brutal conflict, illustrating in detail how and why previously peaceful religious communities can descend into violent conflict.

INTRODUCTIONIntroductionThe Trajectory of Violence: August 1999 to June 2000 Conclusion CHAPTER 1: THE STUDY OF VIOLENT COMMUNAL CONFLICT The Study of Communal Violence A model for analysing brutality Research in a conflict zone CHAPTER 2: BACKGROUND - NORTH MALUKU IN CONTEXT Introduction The Spice Islands Suharto's New Order 1966 - 1998 A nation in flux 1999 Rising inter-religious tension North Maluku becomes a province Conclusion CHAPTER 3: INITIATION - MALIFUT IntroductionMobilisation for violence The sources of tension A powerful ethnic group mobilises Counter-Mobilisation The August Riot Government Partiality The October Riot Why did violence come to North Maluku? Conclusion CHAPTER 4: ESCALATION - TERNATE AND TIDORE Introduction The Escalation of Conflict The capital city in 1999 Rising tension The Aftermath of Malifut Creating a mob Immobilisation of the Security Forces 'Transvaluation': The Bloody Sosol Letter Anti-Christian rioting Religion enters the North Maluku conflict Conclusion CHAPTER 5: DISPERSION - TOBELO AND GALELA Introduction The Security Dilemma A region of inter-religious harmony The Weakening of Ethnic Ties Fear and religious radicalism Violence in Tobelo Attacks on Remaining Muslim villages Galela erupts in violence Insecurity, defending the faith and violence Conclusion CHAPTER 6: POLITICAL EXPLOITATION - THE PUTIH - KUNING Introduction The political uses of violence Rising Political Tension After the expulsion of Christians Muslims begin to fight Explaining intra-Muslim violence in the middle of religious war Conclusion CHAPTER 7: KILLING IN THE NAME OF