Indonesian Christians forced to leave church

Indonesian Christians forced to leave church

BOGOR, West Java, Indonesia — A mob of some 200 Muslim vigilantes forced Christians in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, to abandon their church service Sunday, The Jakarta Post reported March 27. Police were present but failed to stop the mob, composed of residents from the Griya Bukit Jaya housing complex. The mob forced approximately 190 Christians to leave a Pentecostal church building and agree to end services. They claimed the church had violated a 1999 decree issued by the governor of West Java and a 1969 Joint Ministerial Decree regulating places of worship. Islamic groups have attacked and forcibly closed at least 60 churches in West Java over the past two and a half years, citing a lack of permits.