Gauze covers the cavity that once was a nose. He can barely speak through a mangled mouth and swollen lips. I don't understand why we are being killed. I'm just thankful to God that I am still alive. Frendy's response is echoed by many in the communities of Ambon, where the majority of the population historically has been Christian in an overwhelmingly Muslim nation.
Explanations are few, and blame is rampant.
Outwardly, the world hears of Christians being slaughtered by their Muslim neighbors. In early 1999, a dispute between a Christian and a Muslim sparked riots on the island of Ambon. Some allege the incident was a tripwire, perhaps even planned. Attacks on Christian communities commenced, which sparked killings and retaliation by both sides. Thousands have died and hundreds of churches and mosques have been destroyed in the months since.