JAKARTA, Indonesia — Attacking the house of a Baptist pastor and protesting the presence of a Catholic church, radical Muslim groups got authorities to close down two churches in the last weeks of November.
In Banten province Nov. 21, extremists from the Islamic Defender Forces attacked the Tangerang home of Bedali Hulu, pastor of 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, Hulu met with Pisangan Jaya village leaders Nov. 22. Officials asked him to leave the territory until tensions cooled. Activities at the church, which has a permit and is registered with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, came to a halt.
In West Jakarta on Nov. 23, about 75 Muslim demonstrators 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.
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