[ABIM] ABIM Hails Peace in Aceh

ABIM Hails Peace in Aceh

August 17, 2005

The Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) welcomes the historic Peace Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Monday, August 15, 2005, with open arms and praises to Allah.

It is like an answer to a long time prayer of ABIM. We have been praying for it since the war started in 1976, as we felt inhibited to take sides in the war between Muslim brothers. Whenever it comes to the issue on Aceh, we feel ineffective as we have to constrain from doing anything so as not to appear bias to either side. We sacrificed a lot in not getting involved even on the humanitarian dimension of the conflict.

Tsunami, a blessing in disguiseFor us the tsunami disaster that struck Aceh hard was a blessing in disguise. Nobody wanted it to happen, but as it did and through it, we were able to bring in relief and humanitarian assistance without any hustle and bustle. We didn’t have to bother with being accused as partisans to any group. We were just there to offer the best we could to save and assist as many people who survived the disaster. We are glad to have been there via the Global Peace Mission (GPM) Malaysia, a humanitarian mission across borders, and we hope to be still there for a few more months, or for as long as necessary.

The Agreement signed in Helsinki, Finland effectively sealed the three decades of separatist war that has claimed some 15,000 lives since 1976. It was rather long overdue, nevertheless, we are happy for all the Indonesians, the Acehnese people in particular. Now our prayer is for the Agreement to be long lasting, for mutual love and co-existence to prevail among compatriots and brothers-in-faith.

Kudos to leaders of the Indonesian government and GAM for inking this historic accord.

AHMAD AZAM ABDUL RAHMAN

President