Christmas Celebration Forbidden

22 December 2004

A small group of believers in the village of Bandengan in Cirebon , West Java was refused permission to celebrate Christmas on December 15, despite earlier assurances that they would be allowed to do so. For the past three years, Christian workers have been holding services in the village. At present, there are ten believers in this predominantly Muslim community. The day before the planned Christmas celebration, police informed the pastor that all regular religious services were to cease immediately.

^{Bintijaya (61) Injured in Bomb Attack in Palu, December 12, 2004}

In recent weeks, several churches in West Java have been forced to close. Last week, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on a coordinated attack of two churches in Palu, along with fears of increased violence during the Christmas season. Photographs of the attacks are now available (click here).

For more information on persecution of Indonesian Christians, click here.

Indonesia

Country Information
Population
279,476,346 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Javanese (40.1), Sundanese (15.5), Malay (3.7), Balak (3.6), Madurese (3), Betawi (2.9), Minangkabau (2.7), Buginese (2.7), Bantenese (2), Other (23.8)

Religion (%)
Muslim (87.2), Christian (9.9), Hindu (1.7), Other (0.9), Unspecified (0.4)

Leader
President Joko Widodo (2014)

Government type
Presidential republic

Legal system
Civil law system based on the Roman-Dutch model and influenced by customary law

Sources: CIA World Factbook.
Pray for Indonesia
Pray for the continued growth of the church in Indonesia, despite the intense opposition and persecution that has taken place. May the destructive plans of the enemy to eradicate Christianity be frustrated and nullified.

Pray that whatever is intended for evil, God will turn around for good – causing such hatred and violence to not only discredit extremism, but to also compel many to seek salvation in Christ... including the perpetrators of persecution.

Indonesia News

Christians Blocked from Worshipping

A church in Indonesia.
Photo: VOMC

For two consecutive Sundays, approximately 20 opposing Muslim residents in the village of Gerendeng Pulo have prevented a church congregation from gathering for worship. The opposition stems from concerns that the believers began meeting in a new location without the approval of local Muslim leaders.

Read more...
Children Injured in Mob Violence

Children in Indonesia.
Photo: ILO / Yodhi Prasetyo (cc)

On July 27th, a violent incident occurred in Padang City, Indonesia, when several men attacked a prayer house, which was established to provide religious education to Christian children. Armed with sticks, the assailants ordered the believers to disperse, and then they proceeded to smash the building's windows. During the attack, two children (ages eight and eleven) sustained injuries after being struck by objects that had been thrown amid the violence.

Read more...
Hundreds of Protestors Oppose Church Construction

Bulukumba Regency
Photo: Wikimedia / Midori (cc)

As the church in Indonesia continues to grow, opposition to the construction of various worship facilities remains a major challenge. One Catholic church in the Bulukumba Regency of South Sulawesi has been waiting for 45 years to receive a building permit. Although the congregation was initially granted permission in 1980, their permit was revoked following public protests. Since then, members of the church have attempted to secure approval for multiple locations, but each application has been met with rejection.

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Young Boy Dies Following Tragic Bullying Incident

An eight-year-old boy, referred to as "KB" in Indonesia's local news reports, tragically died following a severe beating he received from a group of older male students at a school in Pangkalan Kasai, a village located within the province of Riau. According to various sources, the incident occurred because the boy was a Christian and belonged to a different ethnic group.

Read more...