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Indonesia

  • Young Boy Dies Following Tragic Bullying Incident
    A young boy is walking down a path surrounded by dense greenery. He is mostly silhouetted by the sunset shining between the trees.
     

    An eight-year-old boy, referred to as "KB" in Indonesia's local news reports, tragically died following a severe beating he received from a group of older male students at a school in Pangkalan Kasai, a village located within the province of Riau. According to various sources, the incident occurred because the boy was a Christian and belonged to a different ethnic group.
  • Christian Graves Vandalized
    Two cross-shapped headstones are surrounded by greenery.
    Photo: PxHere

    In what appears to be a targeted act against the Christian community, at least ten graves were recently vandalized in cemeteries throughout the Yogyakarta region of Java, Indonesia. Each of the graves bore a cross, symbolizing the Christian faith of the individuals interred there. The damages occurred in three different cemeteries between May 16th and 19th.
  • Easter Services Continued Amidst Protests
    A white church with a red roof.
    A church in Indonesia.

    On March 5th, local residents in Bandung City held a protest against members of the Santa Odilia church. The community members opposed the use of a multipurpose facility for worship, even though the building is owned by the Catholic church. (For more details on the incident, see this report.)
  • Churches Encounter Community Opposition
    A white church with a red roof.
    A church in Indonesia.

    Churches in Indonesia frequently receive opposition from hostile community members and local leaders, particularly when they are seeking to build or utilize a worship facility. Christians in at least three separate communities are presently facing opposition for these reasons.
  • Community Clashes Halt Christmas Activities
    Believers are singing in worship together.
    Believers in Indonesia.
    Photo: VOMC

    Much of the harassment encountered by followers of Jesus in Indonesia arises from local community members who are opposed to Christian activities. Two recent incidents of community opposition have affected churches in their preparations for this Christmas season.
  • Church Threatened with Eviction
    A white church with blue trim clearly displays a cross on the front.
    A church in Indonesia.
    Photo: VOMC 

    Local authorities have threatened to evict a church in West Java because of its proximity to the Indonesian International Islamic University, despite the church having met previously in that location for nine years. The HKI Juanda Church in Depok, which consists of more than 150 members, is located on the edge of cultivated land. However, since the university was founded in September 2021, it has taken over the property of the neighbouring land.
  • Two Women Injured in Attack on Prayer Meeting
    Trees surround a church building behind an open gate. There are colourful flags on either side of the gate.
    A church building in Indonesia.
    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.
  • Pastor Accused of Blasphemy
    Many people have their hands raised in worship.
      

    During a recent Sunday sermon, Pastor Gilbert Lumoindong made mention of Islamic prayer and compared the practice of almsgiving with Biblical tithing. After being posted online, the sermon quickly gained attention on social media. According to Jumzar Rahman, who serves as the head of the South Sulawesi Arimathea Forum, offence was taken by some Muslim viewers. "The video hurt us," he states. "We Muslims feel offended." Consequently, two complaints were filed with the police, claiming that Pastor Gilbert had blasphemed against Islam.
  • Mob Attack Forces Church to Host Services Online
    A woman is standing with her hands lifted and eyes closed. She is with a congregation.
    A worship gathering in Indonesia.
    Photo: VOMC

    In the early morning of September 16th, a mob consisting of approximately 50 people had gathered at the front gate of the Maranatha Chapel in Depok City. Mob members angrily banged on the gate while shouting and causing a disturbance. Thankfully, at the time, no service was taking place inside the church building and the crowd eventually dispersed.
  • Worshippers Threatened with Death
    Christians worshipping in a church in Indonesia.
    Photo: VOMC

    The Sola Gratia congregation of the Bethel Indonesia Church meets in various homes in Jalan Banuaran, a village located in Padang, Indonesia. As the Christians were gathered for worship in the rented home of Juni Anton Zai on the evening of August 29th, a hostile woman in the community broke the windows of the house and demanded that those inside stop worshipping. According to Pastor Hiatani Ziduhu Hia, the woman, who was later identified as Liza, claimed to be the owner of the house.

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