Indonesian court hears Christian education case

WEST JAVA, Indonesia — With angry hecklers in the West Java, Indonesia, courtroom calling them liars, three Indonesian women accused of trying to convert Muslim children tried to defend themselves. Rebekka Zakaria, Eti Pangesti and Ratna Bangun were questioned about activities and materials used in their Christian education program for children from an elementary school. Bangun explained that the children prayed, read the Bible, sang and sometimes colored pictures. In response, Judge Hasby J. Tholib said the women should never have allowed Muslim children to attend the program. Bangun and Zakaria replied that they had no hidden agenda and had been completely honest with the children’s parents, who gave full consent to the program — though none will come forward to say so now. Before the hearing ended, the prosecuting attorney announced that the case would be transferred to the High Court, a move that could considerably lengthen the trial.