Muslims Sentenced for Beheading Christian Girls

05 December 2007

_{School girl martyred on October 29, 2005}

An Indonesia court handed down sentences of 10 to 19 years to six Muslims for a series of attacks in Central Sulawesi in 2005 and 2006. Abdul Muis bin Kamarudin (22) was sentenced to 19 years for his involvement in a 2005 bomb attack on a market selling pork in Palau in which eight people were killed and an October 2006 drive-by shooting of Rev. Irianto Kongkoli. Rahman Kalahe (21) was sentenced to 19 years for beheading three Christian school girls. Sentenced to 10 years and three months for the beheading was Yudi Heryanto (20) and a 14 year sentence was given to Agus Nur Muhammad (26). Kalale and Heryanto were also found guilty of the non-fatal shooting of two other Christian schoolgirls in the same town the following month. Three others were sentenced in March for the beheading attack with two receiving 14 years in prison and one 20 years (click here for more details).

In another case, Syaiful Anam, known as Brekele (26) was found guilty of and sentenced to 18 years for organizing the bombing of a marketplace in the predominantly Christian town of Tentena, also in Poso, in May 2005. Amril Niode, 22, was also jailed 15 years for his involvement in the Tentena attack. Speaking after his trial, Anam told journalists they had no regrets over their attacks, "because this is a consequence of my jihad." He added that he thought 18 years was too heavy a sentence for his crime. "From my perspective, it's too heavy because those I killed were infidels. I should not have been punished," he said.

Pray that those responsible for these acts will experience the love and grace of Christ. Pray for the safety of Indonesia's Christians in the coming month, as violence against them often escalates during the Christmas season.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia, go to the Indonesia Country Report.

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...