JAKARTA, Indonesia — Because of the ongoing threat from Muslim activists, the Jakarta Baptist Church in Kali Jaya, Tangerang province, has been unable to worship in its sanctuary since mid-May. The congregation has since been meeting on a rotating basis in private homes.
In May, a mob of several hundred villagers led by Muslim clergyman Sanusi Syafei attacked the buildling on a Sunday, breaking windows and destroying part of the roof. Syafei and his followers protest the existence of Jakarta Baptist Church because they claim it is situated too close (50 meters) to the Al-Falah Mosque. The head of local state land office, however, has determined that the church property lies 200 meters from the mosque.
According to Hengky Setiawan, pastor of the six-year-old congregation, protestors claim that local zoning laws prohibit worship centers in the residential area where the church is located. They also say the predominantly Muslim community is opposed to the church being there. These reasons are “nonsense,” Setiawan said, asserting that the real motive is Syafei’s fear that the church will influence Muslims.
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