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Indonesia

• Christian Assassinated

  At noon on October 3 in the village of Pantengolemba in Poso, a fifty-three-year-old man, Pamilton Tadoa, was shot in the head and killed as he rode his motorbike to the school where he served as treasurer.  The assassin has not been identified.  Pamilton was a member of the Tabernakel Pentecostal Church.

• Islamic Groups Threaten to Destroy a Christian School

  Hundreds of Muslims in Cikampek, sixty-five kilometres southeast of Jakarta, took to the streets after Friday prayers on September 23 to protest the building of a school funded by a Christian foundation.  Construction of the school had been stopped in 2004 after repeated vandalism and violence against the foundation. 

  (Source: AsiaNews)

• Mobs Close Churches

  The Voice of the Martyrs has received news on the closure of three more Indonesian churches this month, despite pressure on the government to prevent such closures.

  VOMC sources in Indonesia report that, on September 3, approximately 300 militant Muslims closed a house in Madegondo village, Grogol, Sukoharjo, claiming that it was being used illegally for Christian worship.  The three-story building was the home of Pastor Syarif Hidayatullah, who had applied for permission to use the top floor as a place of worship.  On Saturday evening, the mob surrounded the home, preventing police from intervening.  Finally the chief of police succumbed to the crowd's demands and cosigned the order to seal the home.

  The Australian Broadcasting Corporation also reports that two churches in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta were blocked by militants on the same weekend, forcing 500 Christians to worship on the streets.

  Pray that the authorities will crack down on militant Islamic groups in Indonesia.  Pray for wisdom and strength for Christian leaders, as they deal with the increasing threat of violence from these groups.

  For more information on the pressure facing the Indonesian Church,click here.  To view video reports and testimonies from Indonesia, go to https://www.vomcanada.com/.

• Update: Indonesian Women Appeal Sentence

  Three Indonesian Christians convicted of attempting to convert Muslim children to Christianity have filed an appeal of their conviction.  On September 1, a district court sentenced Rebekka Zakaria, Ety Pangesti and Ratna Bangun to three years in prison amidst protests and threats from militant Islamic groups.  Continue to pray for justice for Rebekka, Ety and Ratna.

  The October edition of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter will feature their story and the persecution facing Christians in Indonesia.  To subscribe to our free newsletter, click here.

• Three-Year Sentences for Attempting to Convert Muslim Children

  On September 1, an Indonesian court sentenced three Indonesian women to three-year sentences for allegedly attempting to convert Muslim children to Christianity.  In actuality, Rebekka Zakaria, Eti Pangesti and Ratna Bangun had required all children attending their program to get parental permission to attend.  Furthermore, no children were known to have converted to Christianity because of the program.  Proof for the accusations came from photographs showing Muslim children at the program.

  Throughout the trial, Islamic militants had threatened the lives of the women, Christian leaders and even the judges if there was not a conviction.  On the final day, a group arrived with a coffin, saying it was for the women, if they were acquitted. 

  Rebekka Zakaria, Eti Pangesti and Ratna Bangun in Court; Protestors Outside Courthouse

  The women plan to appeal, but observers are sceptical whether true justice is possible in the face of the intimidation that was clearly evident during their trial.

  Pray for peace and strength of mind and spirit as these three servants of God serve their time in prison.  Pray for wisdom for the upcoming appeals. 

  For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Indonesia,click here.  A twenty-one minute video on the plight of Christians in Indonesia, entitled "Island Jihad," is available on VOMC's multimedia website, https://www.vomcanada.com/.  The October edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter will feature an article on Indonesia's courageous Christians.  To ensure that you receive a copy, subscribe today.
• Catholic Chapel Closed in Indonesia While Pressure Mounts to Stop Such Closures

  In the latest in a string of forcible church closures in West Java, Indonesia, a Roman Catholic chapel was forced to close by a mob of around 200 Islamic militants on August 27.  According to an August 29 report from Asia News, Father Iwan Pr had just completed the Saturday mass in the village of Margahayu when the mob approached him and ordered him to close the church and stop all services.  To prevent harm to the gathered congregation, Father Iwan complied.  After the mob left, authorities arrived to apologize for the incident, but did nothing more.

  Indonesian Vice-President Yusuf Kalla

  Pressure is mounting on the authorities to do something about the situation.  More than thirty-five churches have been shut down by militant groups in the past month.  On July 29, Indonesian vice-president Yusuf Kalla called for the immediate end to these attacks against churches West Java.  Speaking to a gathering of Muslim leaders, he said that Muslim leaders must keep their followers under control and that police must take firm action against such violence.  Some moderate Muslim leaders have joined with him in calling for an end to these incidents. 

  Pray that Christians in West Java will be free to worship in peace and without fear of violence from Islamic groups.  Pray that the authorities will take decisive action to stop further closures and that those churches which have been closed will be able to reopen.

  For more information on the difficulties facing Christians in Indonesia,click here.  Go to https://www.vomcanada.com/ to view a twenty-one minute report on the persecution in Indonesia entitled "Island Jihad."

• Verdict Expected in Indonesian Court Case

  The Voice of the Martyrs has learned that the court hearings in the case of three women accused of attempting to convert Muslim children in Indonesia have concluded and a verdict is expected on September 1.  The trial has been marked with loud outbursts from Muslims observing the trial, as well as demonstrations outside the courthouse.  Threats have been made by some if a guilty verdict is not handed down. 

  Pray that the judges will reach a fair judgment, despite the threats made by the crowds.  Pray that the women and their families will be safe from violence.

  For more information on this case, follow the links onIndonesia's country report.

• Update: Indonesian Judge Shouts at Protestors, Another Church Closure in West Java

  Protestors in the court room for the trial of three women accused of attempting to convert Muslim children caused such uproar on August 18 that the Chief Justice, Judge Hasby exploded in anger, shouting, "This court has its rules and regulations! Who dared to tell us to hand down the verdict now?"  According to Assist News report, the uproar followed the judge's decision to postpone the proceedings for a week to allow the defense to prepare for new elements introduced by the prosecution.  Observers question the possibility of an impartial judgment, since the judges have been faced threats by Muslim militants.

  In recent weeks, the Persecution and Prayer Alert has reported on several church closures in West Java.  VOMC sources in Indonesia report that, on August 21, hundreds of Muslim protestors belonging to the Aliansi Gerakan AntiPemurtadan (Anti-Apostasy Movement Alliance) entered the Pasundan Christian Church in Dayeuhkolot, South Bandung during the worship service.  They demanded that the fifty-year-old church immediately stop their activities and close the church.  Prayer is requested for the pastor, his family and the 300-400 members of the church.

• Churches Closed in West Java, Indonesia

  

  Since the beginning of August, the Persecution and Prayer Alert has reported on a series of churches closed in West Java.  An August 16 report from Jubilee Campaign recounts a series of closures in communities around the city of Bandung.  On Sunday, August 14, members of the militant Islamic cleric organization, the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI), entered eight churches in the village of Cimahi and ordered them to close.  In each case, a sizable number of militants entered the church, marched to the front and forced the pastor to sign a letter agreeing to the closure.  They then forced the members out of the building.  Two days earlier, a church and a Christian kindergarten school were closed in Turwakarta.  During the previous week, eight churches in Cileunyi were also forced to close.  These incidents bring the total number of closed churches to thirty-five since the end of July.  According to Colonel Andy Krisna, a retired police officer from Jakarta who led the raids on August 14, the churches were closed because they lacked permits.  However, such permits require the approval of neighbours and the MUI has prevented the approval through threats of violence.

  Pray for these believers now without a place to gather to worship.  Pray for an enduring strength and knowledge of God's presence for believers throughout the region during this time of uncertainty and opposition.

  For more information on persecution facing Christians in Indonesia,click here.  A 20-minute video feature on Indonesia, "Island Jihad," is available for viewing in the Video section of https://www.vomcanada.com/. 

• Church Ordered Closed

  

  The campaign to close churches in Indonesia continues as another local church was recently ordered to close.  VOMC sources report that the Pasudan Christian Church in Pangauban village, Bandung County received a letter from the village head on July 26, ordering an immediate stop to all religious services.  The claim from public officials was that the multifunction building on the campus of the Christian Immanuel Hospital was being misused as a church.  The church of 200 had been meeting there since 1996.

  Pray for these believers as they are now without a place to meet together.  Pray for wisdom as they deal with the ramifications of this decision.

  For more information on Indonesia and the challenges facing Christians there,click here.  A VOMC video entitled "Island Jihad" documenting the persecution facing Indonesian Christians is available for viewing in the Video section of https://www.vomcanada.com/.