Indonesia's Yudhoyono meets with reconciliation team in Sampang

December 06, 2013

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SAMPANG, Indonesia – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono met Wednesday (December 4th) with the team assigned to reconcile the Sunni and Shia Muslims in Sampang Regency, Madura, East Java, local media reported.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono speaks Tuesday (December 3rd) during the opening of the 9th WTO Ministerial meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali. The president visited Sampang on Madura Island on Wednesday to inspect Sunni-Shiite reconciliation efforts. [AFP/Abror Rizki]

Yudhoyono attended the meeting with first lady Ani Yudhoyono and several cabinet members, according to the Jakarta Globe. He also met with Sunni clerics and community leaders.

Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said the president ordered the reconciliation team to speed up the process, The Jakarta Post reported.

Reconciliation team leader Abdullah A'la allegedly admitted they faced several challenges, including a lack of understanding of Shia Muslims by Sampang residents and a lack of tolerance.

The Shia demanded Tuesday that they be allowed to return home by month's end.

Some 230 Shia Muslims fled their home in mid-2012 after their leader was convicted of blasphemy and a mob attacked their village.

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