Jubilee Campaign, August 25, 2005
UPDATE: Church Closings Continue in West Java
In a follow-up to a story we reported last week, we submit the following report from
Ibrahim Buaya, our source in Bandung, Indonesia:
Church Closures by Militant Islamists Continue in West Java, Indonesia
Ibrahim Buaya
Bandung, Sunday, 21 August 2005
Another very disturbing report has come to hand from Eskol-Net in Bandung
concerning the ongoing targeting of churches in West Java, Indonesia.
Eskol-Net reported that today, Sunday, 21 August 2005, about 10.00 a.m local time
while the church was holding its service, hundreds of men from the Anti Apostasy
Movement Alliance (AGAP) came to the Pasundan Christian Church (GKP)
Dayeuhkolot, South Bandung, West Java. The radical Islamic masses demanded that
the Pasundan Christian Church (Presbyterian) which has existed since 1956
immediately stop their service and close it down.
The editors of Eskol-Net who issued the initial report are still awaiting further
information from their investigation team that is on location. Please pray for the
minister and his family and also for the 300-400 members who are at the church
service in the village of Dayeuhkolot.
It is important to know, that the Islamic masses organized by the Indonesia Council of
Mullahs (MUI) and the Front for the Defense of Islam (FPI) and trucked in by AGAP
are also the same ones involved in the recent closures of several churches in West
Java. This indicates a coordinated effort being conducted each week designed to
create terror in the churches in the area as they do not know whether next week they
will be the next ones to be attacked and closed down in this systematic attempt to
destroy freedom of religion and to implement Syariah Law.
There have been more than 35 churches closed down in this region in the last month
and more than 100 in the last three years. The recent escalation is cause for concern
as we witness an increased radicalization of Islam in Indonesia.
We will report further on what has happened when further information is available.
email: jubilee@jubileecampaign.org
phone: 703-503-0791
web: http://www.jubileecampaign.org
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