Some observers suggested the violence was planned during a national Koran reading contest in Palu attended by the president and vice-president, as authorities would be distracted by the large event and the presence of the Indonesian executive leaders.
Beberapa pengamat menyarankan kekerasan itu dirundingkan selama kontes membaca Al-Qur'an nasional di Palu yang dihadiri oleh Presiden dan Wakil Presiden, dengan pemikiran bahwa otoritas akan terganggu oleh acara besar dan kehadiran para pemimpin eksekutif Indonesia.