Muslim’s Comment Sparks Christian Ire

Christians angered by a Muslim’s comment about a picture of Jesus Christ rioted in an eastern Indonesian town, burning a market and injuring more than a dozen people, police said Wednesday.

The violence occurred Monday in Kafemenanu, about 1,180 miles southeast of Jakarta, police Capt. Donatus Niba told The Associated Press by telephone.

Niba said the violence erupted after a Muslim living in a rented house made a disparaging comment about a picture of Jesus Christ hanging on the wall.

Word of the insult spread quickly, and hundreds of Christian villagers attacked workers with stones and knives, Niba said. Reports on the number of injured varied from 14 to 19.