The Spice Islands are home to Indonesians divided by religion. In January 1999 a civil war began between Christians and Muslims. Although more than 80 percent of the population is Muslim, the war began when a letter announcing Christian uprising was circulated amongst the Muslims. Although Indonesia's former corrupt President Suharto is no longer in office, the country is not benefiting as thought. The same ruler that was resented because of his strict policies is now missed due to his ability to cap social unrest.

The island of Java is the most populated of all the Indonesian islands and home to the city of Jakarta, the center of politics, finance, culture and communications in Indonesia. Indonesians are looking for democratic reform by cleaning up courts and banks. Suharto had run Indonesia based on tradition not what the country needed. To diffuse centralized power, wealth and political power needed

Also, the Christians and the Muslims are governed by different sets of rules. Christians are tried by Indonesian law, while Muslims are governed by somewhat home-grown rules, causing more conflict and tension between the two opposing religions. Many Indonesians have flocked to the Muslim religion because they claim it gives them something to hold on to in the midst of their nation being ripped in two. Other claim it gives them a backlash against Western influence. Abdurrahman Wahid is now Indonesia's president and promises to unite the conflicting cultures and religions with respect for diversity and equal treatment. However, many see this as a weakness and a sign he is incapable of stopping the violence between the Christians and the Muslims.

In Indonesia, typically Christians hold the farming industry while Muslims run local shops and work in factories supporting the local economy. Christians feel they are being run around by Muslims. Their jobs are being taken from big timber and

Some common words found in the essay are:
Laskar Jihad, Indonesia Indonesians, Christians Muslims, Muslims Muslims, President Suharto, Christians Police, Wahid Indonesia's, Spice Islands, Geographic Indonesia, Muslims Indonesia's, christians muslims, natural resources, muslims governed, amongst muslims, opposing religions, islands home,
Approximate Word count = 674
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)