Photo: Wikimedia / F-GSPY (cc)
Two young women were slightly wounded when a mob attacked a Catholic prayer meeting on May 5th in the city of Tangerang, Banten Province. The group meeting, which consisted of 15 Catholic students who had gathered in a home for prayer, was disrupted when armed assailants forced their way into the residence, injuring two females during the intrusion. Some concerned local Muslims attempted to defend the students, with one of them sustaining a minor cut from the attack.
One of the intruders has since been identified as the local village leader – a Muslim man named Diding. According to police, the conflict began when Diding started shouting threats and statements of profanity in an attempt to incite other members of the community to attack the Catholic group. Diding claims that he was disrespected by the students, whom he had told earlier that worship was only permitted within a church building and not in a home. Four local residents, including Diding, were later arrested by police on charges of assault.
Religious gatherings in homes are frequently targeted by those in the predominantly Muslim country of Indonesia who are opposed to minorities. However, despite local opposition, there are no legal restrictions outlawing citizens from gathering for worship in private homes. To review additional reports addressing the challenges of Christians in this Southeast Asian nation, go to our country report.
Pray that a radical cultural shift would take place in Indonesia, bringing the members of this society to a greater tolerance of the religious differences among them. May Christians throughout the country be filled with God's compassion and wisdom as they interact with those around them, serving as testimonies of His love and grace so that many spiritually needy people will likewise come to faith in Christ.
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