The Jakarta Post, 6/7/2004 1:42:10 PM
Mobs attack four churches in Tangerang, Banten
JAKARTA (AP): Mobs armed with sticks attacked four churches close to the
Indonesian capital, injuring a minister and damaging pews and windows, police said
Monday.
The churches were attacked Sunday while services were taking place in some of
them, said Capt. Hamdani, who goes by a single name. All the churches were in
buildings earmarked for use as shops.
Hamdani declined to speculate on a motive for the attacks in the Tangerang districts
of Pamulang and Ciputat, Banten province, on the southwestern outskirts of Jakarta.
Media reports said the churches were targeted because they were established without
permission of the local government.
The mobs caused minor damage to pews and windows in the apparently coordinated
attacks, Hamdani said. A minister was punched on the head, but his injuries weren't
serious.
Similar attacks on "wild churches," as some Muslims refer to unauthorized churches,
have taken place in the past.
Christians make up about 10% of Indonesia 210 million people. More than 80% are
Muslims, making it the world's largest Islamic country.
Christians often complain it is difficult to receive permission to build new churches,
and so erect them in shopping malls and business districts in violation of planning
regulations.
Muslim organizations accuse some Christians of overly aggressive missionary
activities, and question the need for churches in Muslim-majority areas.
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