Continuing Attacks in Sulawesi

The Christian community in Sulawesi, Indonesia is in shock after two more attacks this past weekend left one person dead and three others injured.

In Palu, 150 km from Poso, two women and one man were attacked by men with machetes on Friday, November 18.  Three attackers on a motorcycle approached a second motorcycle carrying 20-year-old Supriyanti and her friends Anca (23) and Evi (20).  Supriyanti was slashed in the neck and Evi's arm was almost severed.  Anca escaped serious injuries.  As they sought medical treatment, they were turned away from the first hospital because the wounds were considered too serious.  Supriyanti died from severe blood loss before they reached a second hospital.

A second attack in Palu on the following day has left Novlin Pallinggi (37) in critical condition and her husband Pudji Laksono (45) in stable condition after gunmen shot them at close range shortly after they left a church service that evening.  Doctors at the Undata General Hospital in Palu managed to remove a bullet from Pudji's chest.  At last report, they have been unable to dislodge two bullets from Novlin's chest and ribs.

A city official in Palu has suggested that since the attacks in Poso did not stir up violence between Christians and Muslims as desired, militants may be trying to do so in other communities like Palu.

Ask God to draw the perpetrators of these crimes to Himself. Pray that Indonesian Christians will continue respond to such acts of violence in a Christ-like manner. Pray that Evi's arm will heal and that she will receive excellent medical care. Pray that Supriyanti's family and friends will be comforted in their loss. Also pray for Anca as he comes to terms with the trauma of having watched one of his friends die from her wounds.  Remember Novlin and Pudji in your prayers as they recover from the gunshot wounds. Pray that the Lord will use these incidents to actually further His Kingdom.

For more information on persecution in Indonesia, click here.  The Voice of the Martyrs has released a 20-minute feature on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia, entitled "Island Jihad."  To view the video, go to https://www.vomcanada.com.

  • 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

  • Children Injured in Mob Violence
    A group of children are smiling and laughing. One is playing an ukulele.
    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.

  • Hundreds of Protestors Oppose Church Construction
    A street is lined with buildings and trees.
    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.

  • Young Boy Dies Following Tragic Bullying Incident
    A young boy is walking down a path surrounded by dense greenery. He is mostly silhouetted by the sunset shining between the trees.
     

    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.