Muslim militants recently shot six youths singing Christmas carols on
the street,

wounding two and renewing fears of terrorist acts against Christians.

According to Christian Aid Mission (CAM), the attack occurred Dec. 5 in
the city of Poso as the teens

-- two Pentecostals and four from the Reformed Church --

sat playing a guitar and singing Christmas songs in front of the
Indonesian Christian Church.

Two men on a motorcycle reportedly shot at the youths six times and sped
off.

Hidayat Guru, 20, and Fifien Rumapar, 16, were treated and released from
a hospital.

After weeks of increasing religious violence and the circulation of
pamphlets calling for the extermination of Christians,
the government had increased security,

made commitments to crack down on anyone with weapons and brought in
extra troops to guard 46 locations where attacks were likely.

The beefed up security reportedly made the youths feel safe enough to
sing carols in front of the church.

In response to the latest attack, authorities are reportedly sending an
additional 500 military men to Poso.

**CAM urged Christians worldwide to pray for the city's Christian
community.


Meanwhile, the Barnabas Fund last week appealed for food supplies and
medical aid for thousands of persecuted Christians in Indonesia

amid fears they will experience hunger and genocide this Christmas
season.

Indonesian believers are reportedly unable to tend their rice fields and
fruit plantations.

"If we leave our villages, then the Muslims will occupy them,

and if we stay we cannot get access to our daily needs, in particular
rice.

And now we are facing the Christmas season," unidentified Christians
told the human rights group.

Muslim militants recently shot six youths singing Christmas carols on
the street,

wounding two and renewing fears of terrorist acts against Christians.

According to Christian Aid Mission (CAM), the attack occurred Dec. 5 in
the city of Poso as the teens

-- two Pentecostals and four from the Reformed Church --

sat playing a guitar and singing Christmas songs in front of the
Indonesian Christian Church.

Two men on a motorcycle reportedly shot at the youths six times and sped
off.

Hidayat Guru, 20, and Fifien Rumapar, 16, were treated and released from
a hospital.

After weeks of increasing religious violence and the circulation of
pamphlets calling for the extermination of Christians,
the government had increased security,

made commitments to crack down on anyone with weapons and brought in
extra troops to guard 46 locations where attacks were likely.

The beefed up security reportedly made the youths feel safe enough to
sing carols in front of the church.

In response to the latest attack, authorities are reportedly sending an
additional 500 military men to Poso.

**CAM urged Christians worldwide to pray for the city's Christian
community.


Meanwhile, the Barnabas Fund last week appealed for food supplies and
medical aid for thousands of persecuted Christians in Indonesia

amid fears they will experience hunger and genocide this Christmas
season.

Indonesian believers are reportedly unable to tend their rice fields and
fruit plantations.

"If we leave our villages, then the Muslims will occupy them,

and if we stay we cannot get access to our daily needs, in particular
rice.

And now we are facing the Christmas season," unidentified Christians
told the human rights group.