Christians Continue to Face Challenges

09 February 2005

^{Fire at VOM's Medical Treatment Centre}

Three separate stories from Indonesia in the past week demonstrate the continued difficulties faced by Christians in the most populous Muslim nation in the world.

On January 25, The Voice of the Martyrs received the news that our medical treatment centre and storage facility in Indonesia had been totally destroyed by fire. Valuable medical supplies and items for distribution to persecuted believers in the country were destroyed. Thankfully there were no injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Pray that the supplies needed for this valuable work will be restored soon so that the ministry will be able to continue.

On February 1, VOM also learned that the local government in West Pasaman, West Sumatra had issued regulations that all female students in public and Islamic schools must wear the Muslim head coverings, regardless of their religion. Only private Christian schools are exempt from the regulations.

^{Immanuel Church in Indonesia
Site of Shooting on December 12, 2004}

In a follow-up to our report in December in which a sixty-one year old security guard was shot during a church attack on December 12. VOM has learned that ballistic evidence indicates that a police weapon was used in the shooting. A high-ranking police officer has also been implicated in this and another church attack in Central Sulawesi that day.

Pray for endurance for Christians facing persecution in various ways in Indonesia. Pray for justice and peace.

For more information on the difficulties facing Christians in Indonesia, 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

Blasphemy Legislation to be Updated in January

A church in Indonesia
Wikipedia / Christian Advs Sltg (CC)

Indonesia's blasphemy law has been enforced since 1965, despite multiple unsuccessful attempts to remove the legislation. Although the country is home to the world's largest Muslim-majority population, the national government has long sought to maintain a religiously diverse society. Even so, incidents of religious intolerance and persecution have often occurred on a local level.

Read more...
Protests Forcibly Delay "Holyland" Construction

Pray that Christians in Indonesia will remain faithful.
Photo: VOMC

Construction has been ordered to cease on the building of a Christian complex in Karangturi village, despite the fact that all necessary permits had previously been obtained. The order, which was issued on September 2nd by the Regency of Karanganyar, followed formal complaints from Islamic groups that were opposed to the construction project. The letter from the regency cited concerns that the development could lead to "social conflict," and then stated that construction may resume once tensions within the local community are resolved.

Read more...
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...