Tears glistened in his eyes as Muslim intellectual and director of Yayasan Paramadina, Nurcholis Madjid, spoke of the events that had shaken the nation only hours before. Addressing a gathering of concerned citizens on Christmas Day at Hotel Indonesia, Madjid said: "What we are witnessing is a disaster." Some of those present took out handkerchiefs to wipe the tears from their eyes.

The scene marked the first meeting of Forum Indonesia Damai (FID