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Zakaria, Pangesti and Bangun upon their release (top photo, holding their release papers) Photos from Compass Direct | |
Three Christian Women Released
Dr. Rebekka Zakaria (49), Eti Pangesti (45) and Ratna Bangun (40), three Christian women who were convicted of attempting to convert Muslim children to Christianity in 2005 (click here for more details), were released from the Indramayu district prison in West Java at 6:00 a.m. on June 8. They served nearly two years of their three-year sentence and were released on parole following several international advocacy campaigns on their behalf. The time of their release was secretly moved up three hours because militants stated that they were intending to gather outside the prison to protest the reduced sentences. All three women are now at home with their families.
- Country Information
Population
279,476,346 (2023 est.)Ethnicity (%)
Javanese (40.1), Sundanese (15.5), Malay (3.7), Balak (3.6), Madurese (3), Betawi (2.9), Minangkabau (2.7), Buginese (2.7), Bantenese (2), Other (23.8)Religion (%)
Muslim (87.2), Christian (9.9), Hindu (1.7), Other (0.9), Unspecified (0.4)Leader
President Joko Widodo (2014)Government type
Presidential republicLegal system
Civil law system based on the Roman-Dutch model and influenced by customary lawSources: CIA World Factbook.
- Pray for Indonesia
Pray for the continued growth of the church in Indonesia, despite the intense opposition and persecution that has taken place. May the destructive plans of the enemy to eradicate Christianity be frustrated and nullified.
Pray that whatever is intended for evil, God will turn around for good – causing such hatred and violence to not only discredit extremism, but to also compel many to seek salvation in Christ... including the perpetrators of persecution.
