Forgiveness shown in case of Muslims who beheaded Christian girls

Three Muslims were recently sentenced for beheading three Christian teenage girls two years ago in Indonesia.The victims were attacked as they walked to school on October 29, 2005. The attackers then wrapped the girls' heads in plastic bags and left one on the steps of a church. The bags also contained notes promising the murder of more Christian teenagers. However, the three murderers were caught and convicted and received prison sentences ranging from 10 to 19 years.Paul Estabrooks, a minister-at-large with Open Doors International, says although the sentences were light, victims families have forgiven the attackers. Estabrooks also points out that a fourth victim-who was slashed, but survived-has also commented on the outcome."Her name is Noviana, and she says in a recent interview we just did with her, 'It's hard to forgive what they did, very hard. The Lord taught us we need to forgive,'" says Estabrooks. "Even now she says, 'I can still feel anger sometimes but it helps me to pray for the killers. I pray that their hearts would be open to God and they'd repent from their sins to never kill again."Estabrooks encourages people to pray for Christians in Indonesia as this time of year usually sees an increase in violence towards them. Violence between Christians and Muslims has steadily increased throughout Indonesia since the late 1990s.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/12/forgiveness_shown_in_case_of_m.php

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