REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SURABAYA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called for a peaceful solution for the resolution of the violent acts that took place in the Sampang district on Madura Island in East Java.

"During a gathering with Muslim clerics and figures in Sampang on Wednesday night, the President called for a peaceful solution to end the violence that took place in the district," Abd Ala, the Chairman of the Sampang Reconciliation Team on Thursday.

Ala further said that he had reported the latest developments in Sampang to President Yudhoyono and had also indicated that there would be no more violence between the Shiite and Sunni Muslim communities in the region. According to him, some displaced Shiite Muslims, who for months had taken refuge after a string of clashes between the two communities, had returned to their home villages. 

More than a year after a communal violence forced Shiite Muslims to flee their villages, the two warring communities had signed a peace deal to allow the displaced Shia Muslims to return. Ala also noted that the central government would provide assistance through the Public Housing Ministry to renovate around 160 unlivable houses.

"It is a good move that the displaced Shia Muslims in Jemundo have started to return," said Ala, who is also the rector of the Sunan Ampel State Islamic University.

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