JakartaPost-Sept 25
The latest intimidation of members of a Christian congregation in Tangerang, Banten, which ended with a public apology but no legal proceedings, has revived the sense of insecurity and anger among religious minorities, who say such incidents have become all too familiar. For Nainggolan, a Catholic from Tangerang who asked to be identified by his last name, the incident was another reminder of the difficulties Christians can face in practicing their faith in the Muslim-majority Indonesia. The 29-year-old recalled his community’s struggle to build a church in Ciledug, saying the congregation faced difficulties securing the necessary permits. Even after obtaining them, the community was confronted by protesters from outside the area. “Suddenly buses of people from some random area somewhere in Java would arrive and protest the construction of the church, even though the Muslims living in the area had already approved of it,” he told The Jakarta Post earlier this week. He also recalled reading reports about restrictions on Christmas celebrations in different parts of the country, saying such incidents often resurfaced around the holiday. “I have seen this growing up as a teenager almost my whole life,” he added, expressing hope that religious communities in Indonesia could find common ground and break the cycle. Last Sunday, a group of people disrupted a service held by members of the Indonesian Christian Protestant Church (GKPI) in Rajeg, Tangerang regency. The congregation had been worshipping at a house while awaiting permits for a permanent church. A video circulating on social media showed a man carrying a machete and demanding that the service be stopped. The incident later ended in mediation between the congregation and residents, with Aji Cahyono Putra, the man seen carrying the machete, publicly apologizing for his actions. For Kinari, a 23-year-old Protestant from South Tangerang, the resolution did little to ease her concerns. “Although I believe our Constitution is quite progressive [when it comes to religious freedom], it angers me that there seems to be a lack of implementation,” she said. Read more at:
