The Jakarta Post, September 24, 2006
Police foil attempted closure of church
Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung
The suppression of religious freedom in this predominantly Muslim nation continues in
West Java, where dozens of churches and places of worship have been forcibly
closed by Muslim extremists over the past year.
A mob of around 50 people attempted Saturday to demolish a house they claimed
was being used illegally by Christians as a place of worship in the hamlet of Cibintinu,
Arjasari village, some 20 kilometers south of Bandung.
But police foiled the attempted closure of the church, telling the mob that neither
individuals nor organizations were authorized to shut any house of worship.
The incident took place a day before Muslims across the country started the fasting
month of Ramadhan.
The abortive attempt received the backing of Muslim hard-liners grouped under the
Anti-Apostasy Division (DAP) of the Islamic Ulema Forum (FUUI) led by Suryana Nur
Fatwama.
The move began at around 9 a.m. after a meeting at a nearby mosque. The mob then
marched to Yayasan Penginjilan Roti Kehidupan church, where they talked to church
administrator Ibu Eri.
As she refused to close the church, the crowd tried to start destroying the roof of the
building. Around 10 policemen then arrived at the scene and told the mob to leave.
"We ask all of you to be patient. Anybody who tries to touch this building will be
arrested," said Bandung Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Suparman who arrived later.
He said no group was allowed under the law to close down or demolish a house of
worship except the local authorities.
The mob later dispersed but insisted that they would return to the scene if the church
continued its activities.
According to Faidin, a local neighborhood official in charge of spiritual affairs, the
church started activities two weeks ago, around one year after being "closed" by local
residents.
"It has a congregation of only seven members, including two residents from the local
village. The two had just converted to Christianity," Faidin said.
"We are disturbed by their presence and worried if they spread their teachings among
local residents who are nearly 100 percent Muslim," he added.
No local Christian leaders were available to respond.
Under the revised joint decree issued earlier this year by Religious Affairs Minister
Maftuh Basyuni and Home Minister M. Ma'ruf, the establishment of a house of
worship must gain the approval of at least 60 local residents and have a minimum of
90 followers.
Churches in several cities across West Java have been under threat due to the
actions of Islamic extremists including the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and the
Alliance of Anti-Apostasy Movement.
The number of churches forcibly closed in West Java alone since September 2004 is
reported to be 30. Dozens of other churches were also forced to close in other
provinces.
The UK-based human rights watchdog Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has
warned of the increasing trend in church closures in West Java, raising international
concern.
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
