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Indonesia

• Three Churches Closed Over Permits

  

  Authorities on the Indonesian island of Sumatra closed three churches on September 27th, stating that they lack the necessary permits. Church leaders, however, argue that the closures relate instead to restlessness among majority Muslims because of the rapid growth of churches in the area.

  According to an anonymous source, protest rallies had been planned by the "Islamic Defenders Front" for September 28th, with plans for 1,000 protesters in front of the three churches. It is believed that the churches were sealed to prevent this demonstration. Church groups have issued statements urging the government to not give in to pressure but to respect religious freedom.

• Suicide Bomber Family Attacks Three Churches
  
  The aftermath of the Surabaya bombing.
  Photo: Screenshot from YouTube / Try Kutriw

  A series of coordinated church bombings in the city of Surabaya has resulted in as many as 28 fatalities and the wounding of 50 victims; some critically. The attacks were carried out on the morning of May 13th by members of a single family.

  Dita Futrianto, a local leader for a militant Islamic group known as Jemaah Ansharut Daulah, dropped off his wife and two daughters, ages 9 and 12, at the Diponegro Indonesian Christian Church. All three female accomplices had bombs strapped to them which exploded in the courtyard outside the church.

• Awakened to the Truth

  

  Born in a devout Muslim home, Jacob was required as a child to attend special Quran classes every evening. As the years passed by, he became further entrenched in his studies, and strictly observed the call to prayer five times a day. However, one night he had a powerful dream that altered the trajectory of his life. In the dream, a Man told him that he would be "a good servant one day." Although Jacob did not fully understand what this meant, his thoughts immediately turned to Christianity.

• Governor Imprisoned for Alleged Blasphemy

  
  Basuki (Ahok) Tjahaja Purnama
  Wikimedia Commons / Government
  of Republic of Indonesia

  In a tense trial that was widely seen as a test of religious tolerance in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (popularly known as "Ahok"), has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment for alleged blasphemy. The May 9th sentence of the Jakarta governor was harsher than expected and has come as a shock to many of his supporters. TV news coverage of the scene outside the court showed some supporters weeping.

• Four-Year-Old Boy Recovering After Attack

  
  Four-year-old Alvaro has had
  17 operations since the attack.
  Photo: World Watch Monitor

  Just over four months ago, on November 13th, 2016, a bomb attack took place on the grounds of the Oikumene Church in Samarinda, the provincial capital of East Kalimantan. As a result of the attack, a young girl named Intan Olivia (2.5 years old) died the following morning after suffering burns on 75 percent of her body. Three other youngsters were also injured: Anita (2), Triniti (3) and Alvaro (4). A previous report on this incident is available here.

  Thankfully, Anita and Triniti are now home, following hospital treatment, though Triniti continues to require regular checkups. Meanwhile, Alvaro -- the most severely injured of the surviving children -- feels "ashamed" because of his injuries and shies away from new people. Considering that he has undergone 17 different operations, his reaction to the trauma is understandable. Alvaro's mother, Novita, says he has at least stopped crying after each operation.

  "I always try to encourage him by saying it is important to regain his health, and by praying with him before the operation," says Novita. "Seeing him happy is my source of strength and joy as well." The 40-year-old mother is a finance officer at the local police station, and often takes work with her during hospital visits. Alvaro's father, Hotdiman, is presently seeking new employment since his previous job took him too far from home.

  Twenty-one people were arrested after the vicious attack, seven of whom had known links to ISIS. One of the perpetrators, 32-year-old Juhanda bin Muhammad Aceng, reportedly wore a black t-shirt with the message, "Jihad Way of Life," as he threw a Molotov cocktail from his passing motorbike. He was convicted of plotting a terrorist attack in 2011 and, according to police, had been under supervision since his release on parole in 2014. While no new information has been released about the status of his current trial, two of the other attackers (aged 16 and 17) were handed two-year prison terms in January.

  We are thankful for the medical treatment these three young children have received, and the progress they are making. May complete healing take place both emotionally and physically, making it possible for them to live normal lives. Pray that as these children experience the Lord's tender loving care through the ministry of others, they will develop a meaningful relationship with Him. Also uphold all the families and church members who were affected by the attack -- including the family of little Intan who tragically lost her life -- that they will be greatly comforted and strengthened by the Comforter Himself. Additionally, pray for the provision of a new job for Hotdiman, enabling him to be close to his family during Alvaro's recovery.

• Young Children Victims of Church Attack

  
  Intan Olivia

  A preschool-aged girl (2.5 years old) has died from injuries after an attack took place at a church on the island of Borneo. Little Intan Olivia was severely burned when an attacker threw petrol bombs at a group of small children playing outside Oikumene Church in Samarinda on November 13th. Three of Intan's young friends -- Alvaro (4), Triniti (3), and Anita (2) -- were also badly burned.

  Police arrested a 32-year-old suspect after he was captured by local people following the attack. The police stated that the attacker was imprisoned in the past on terrorism charges. He has been identified as a militant linked to local extremists supporting the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group.

  "The man passed by the church and threw what we suspected (were) low-explosive cocktail bombs, causing injuries to four children who were playing there," local police spokesman Fajar Setiawan reported. Police say the attacker was wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the word "jihad." The spokesperson added that "Intan suffered extensive burn injuries and respiratory problems, and doctors could not save her."

  Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population, is also home to significant numbers of Christians, Hindus and Buddhists. The country has suffered a series of attacks inspired by the ISIS militant group in recent times. Additional reports on persecution in this country are available at the Indonesia Country Report.

  Please uphold Intan's grieving family and other members of this victimized Christian community, asking the Lord to comfort and strengthen them in their shock and sorrow. Also intercede for the three young children who thankfully survived the attack yet were hospitalized because of the seriousness of their injuries. May they fully recover -- not only physically but also from the emotional trauma. Pray that this church fellowship will be able to safely meet for worship services so they can encourage one another in the faith. May their witness continue to reach many, including those who currently oppose the Gospel.

• Extremists Burn Down Churches

  Damages from the fire.

  Extremists demanding church closures clashed violently with Christians in Indonesia's Aceh province recently. Those instigating the forceful closures had reportedly burned down four churches in the southern part of the province, which is under the governance of Sharia law (Islamic law). One man was killed and four others were wounded during violent clashes at a church located within the Aceh Singkil district on October 13th, as Christians tried to defend their church against hundreds of armed militants. It is reported that the man shot in the head was a Christian, although police have yet to confirm his identity.

  Tensions flared after a militant Islamic youth group demanded that the government demolish 21 churches in Aceh, claiming that they did not have appropriate permits. According to police, local officials had agreed to act but the aggressive hardliners "took matters into their own hands." In response to the incident, Indonesian President Joko Widodo appealed for calm and ordered officials to take firm action to "establish peace and religious harmony." To learn more about persecution in Indonesia, go to this page.

  Please pray for our suffering Christian family in Indonesia, especially those facing rising tensions in the province of Aceh. Commit to the Lord the grieving family and those who've sustained injuries, asking that they be imbued with His strength, healing and comforting presence. May wisdom and courage be imparted to all of His people in this part of the world so they will be spurred on in their faith and equipped to serve as both peacemakers and promoters of religious tolerance. Thank you for also upholding President Widodo and his government as they work hard to build harmony among all the citizens of this troubled Southeastern Asian nation.

• Three Believers Killed by Militant Muslim Group

  On January 15th, a militant Islamic group in Central Sulawesi killed three Christian men in separate attacks.

  One of those callously murdered was 22-year-old Tomi Alipa. Tomi was working with his mother, Jana, and sister, Dian, near their home in Tangkura village at the time of the attack. He had just left to take the family's cattle home when the two women heard three gunshots.

  After finding her son's lifeless body, distraught Jana confronted a group of about eight Muslim men and demanded to know why they had killed Tomi. The men told her it was in retaliation for the arrest of their friends who were members of the East Indonesian Mujahidin (MIT). The other two murdered believers are Heri Tobio, 59, and Imanuel Tetembu, 56.

  Please bring the grieving families of Tomi, Heri and Imanuel to our gracious Heavenly Father in prayer, asking that He surround each one with His enduring peace, comfort and healing. May they not seek retaliation, but instead be willing to forgive and intercede for the militants who perpetrated these heartless attacks. Finally, pray that even amid the aftermath of these atrocious crimes, God will continue to refine and expand His church in Central Sulawesi while ministering to the dire needs of His suffering people.

  For more information on Indonesia's persecuted church, visit this page.

• Christians Barred from Churches at Christmas

  Sign sealing shut the church building in Cimahi, West Java Photo: Morning Star News

  Several congregations in West Java, Indonesia, were prevented from celebrating Christmas in their church buildings this past December. Elsewhere in the country, hundreds of police and other security personnel guarded church buildings to ensure safety for worshippers.

  The congregation of GKI Yasmin in Bogor, West Java, joined together to celebrate Christ's birth under a makeshift shelter. At the time of the service, their church building was sealed off and guarded by hundreds of officials, despite two Supreme Court rulings in the church's favour. While the congregation obtained a permit to open their church in 2006, the municipality promptly revoked permission after protests from some of the local residents, as well as hardline groups. Yet there is a glimmer of hope for the congregation as the new mayor of Bogor, due to take office in April, has pledged to "review the situation."

• Churches Demolished Despite Attempts to Obtain Permit

  The Bekasi subdistrict of Jakarta dispatched a backhoe to the Batak Protestant Church on March 21 to knock down church walls that had been under construction since January 2013. Photo: World Watch Monitor

  Tensions in Indonesia are on the rise, as opposition to churches seeking building permits continues mounting. After years of struggling to obtain a permit, upset Christians in the West Java province of Indonesia were forced to tearfully stand by and watch as a backhoe moved in to demolish their local church.

  On March 21st, the partially constructed Huria Kristen Batak Protestant Church in Taman Sari Village (Setu district) was completely levelled. Nearly 40 local government officials were behind this decision, claiming that the 13-year-old church had no building permit. Although representatives of the church have repeatedly applied for authorization, they were continually met with ongoing opposition in their predominantly Muslim neighbourhood.

  In an effort to defend their house of worship, the church's 600 members assembled outside the site earlier that morning to pray against the demolition order and plead with officials to reconsider. Unfortunately, the officials proceeded with the order to destroy the church building. While the pastor of the church, Torang Parulian Simanjuntak, intends to file a lawsuit for the illegal action, worship services will be taking place near the demolition site in the interim.

  Another incident occurred at the Damai Kristus Catholic Church in Tambora, West Jakarta, later that same week (March 23rd). Militant Muslim groups closed off the building for three hours, leaving dozens of congregation members confined inside and others locked out. Although instigators claim this church had no permit either, the application has been pending with officials since 1987.

  Although the country's constitution guarantees freedom of worship, the procedure for the construction of buildings in Indonesia is complicated and can take five to ten years for all the necessary documents to be obtained. The process is even more complex for Christian places of worship, since permission for the buildings must be met with approval from local residents and the group for Interreligious Dialogue. For an historical overview, please go to the Indonesia Country Report.

  Pray that through God's intervention, positive changes will be made regarding the processing of building permits, which are currently being denied to churches in these communities. May He also work mightily in the hearts of all who oppose His presence and conviction. Finally, ask that His peace would reign over all areas of conflict, so these believers will be able to worship Him freely in their homes and churches.