MOB FORCES CLOSURE OF CHURCH

INDONESIA

13 November 2002

A mob of over 100 Muslims stormed into a church in Bandung, Java on 6 November terrorising Christians inside, forcing them to leave the premises and ordering them to close the church permanently.

The mob, led by the chairman of the Mosque Security Council (FSDKM), pelted the building with stones before entering and desecrating the church. Police who were present did nothing to prevent the mob from entering the church. Church leader Rev Oloan Nainggolan has complained to the local authorities about their failure to take action against those responsible for such mob action. He also denied claims by the Mosque Security Council that the church had no building permit, stating that the church was built in 1990 with the relevant permits and the agreement of representatives from local groups. The Mosque Security Council are reported to have objected to six other churches in Bandung, so there is a real danger of other churches becoming the target for such mob action.

Elsewhere in Indonesia, Laskar Jihad members do appear to be gradually leaving Central Sulawesi and the Malukus following the announcement of the disbanding of the organisation in October and the situation seems to have improved. However, there is still violence against Christians. On 2 November two people were killed by a sniper in a suburb on Ambon City and the next day two others were killed when two motorbike taxis were shot at in a Muslim area of the city. A sniper severely wounded a resident of Pelauw village on Haruku Island on 8 November. A number of unexploded bombs have been found: Three at schools in Christian areas of Ambon on 21 October and another at a church construction site where a bomb had exploded earlier in October (before the disbanding of Laskar Jihad) injuring six people.

Meanwhile, evidence is increasing of the involvement of members of the Jamaah Islamiyah extremist Islamic group in the Bali bomb atrocity. Following the arrest of its leader Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, in connection with the Bali attack, it is now alleged by the Indonesian authorities that he was involved in the series of bombings of eighteen Christian churches across Indonesia at Christmas 2000.

PRAY

Pray that the authorities in Bandung will act decisively to prevent further mob attacks on churches. Pray that the church that was attacked will be able to re-open and that the Christians will be able to meet in safety.

Praise God that Laskar Jihad warriors are leaving Central Sulawesi and the Malukus. Pray that this will lead to a complete and lasting peace in these areas.

Pray that Christians throughout Indonesia will be protected from attacks by extremist Islamic groups.

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