Muslim extremists force two Indonesian churches to close

JAKARTA — Attacking the house of a Baptist pastor and protesting the presence of a Catholic temple, radical Muslim groups got authorities to close down two churches in the past two weeks. In Banten province, extremists from the Islamic Defender Forces (Front Pembela Islam, or FPI) on November 21 attacked the Tangerang home of the Rev. Bedali Hulu, pastor at Jakarta Christian Baptist Church , kicking out doors and windows, breaking glass and throwing the pastor’s belongings from the house. The church had been meeting in the pastor’s home. As a result of the violent objections to the church, Rev. Hulu met with Pisangan Jaya village leaders on November 22 – with the result that officials asked him to leave the territory until tensions cooled. Activities at the church, which has a permit and is registered with Religious Affairs authorities, came to a halt. In West Jakarta , about 75 Muslim demonstrators on November 23 demanded a halt to worship at Damai Kristus ( Christ’s Peace), a Catholic church in Kampung Duri. The raging protestors were ostensibly upset that the church didn’t have a permit for expansion – local authorities had reportedly denied the parish priest’s application without explanation. After tense discussions, the area Muslims eventually produced a letter from the Tambora district head requiring the church to cease activities.

-Compass Direct News