Christian Organizations Face Pressure to Close

26 April 2006

Two reports were received from Indonesia this week underlining the pressures facing Christians in this predominantly Islamic country.

According to an April 25 report from Compass Direct, a Muslim study group raided a Christian social institution in West Bekasi district, West Java on April 8, demanding they cease all operations. The group claimed the Apostolic Nation Building Foundation (ABB) was attempting to Christianize the community. Police arrived to monitor the situation and there was no violence in the incident. Sarah Fifi, director of ABB, denied allegations they were operating a church. "We are a Christian social institution, non-profit and independent," she said. "We have a vision to strengthen our nation through education, free medication and environmental programs – any activities that help the community." This is the fifth time this year that ABB has received such demands to cease operations.

^{House church in Bogor}

VOMC sources in Indonesia report that a house church in West Java was surrounded by approximately two hundred militant Muslims on April 23 who demanded that they stop using the home for worship. Because of the pressure, the owner of the house in the Gunungputri House Complex in Bogor agreed to stop holding services in his home. After receiving this assurance, the mob moved on to a local house-store which is also used for Sunday worship. Before the crowd arrived, however, the worshippers had left and the owner had locked the building. The protestors warned the security guard they would return if the building was used for worship again.

Because of difficulties in gaining permission for constructing buildings to hold church services in Indonesia, many Christians gather in homes for worship. Muslim militants have been putting significant pressure on the government and on local Christians in recent months to stop these gatherings.

Pray that Indonesian Christians will not become weary in carrying on the work of the Lord, knowing that their faithfulness will result in the furtherance of God's kingdom (Galatians 6:9,10). Pray that the church leaders will have the Holy Spirit's wisdom in the midst of ongoing harassment.

For more information on persecution of 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.

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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.

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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.

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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...