October 19, 2015

Indonesian Muslims Closing Christian Churches




[From article]

According to Christian Freedom International, a group that helps persecuted believers around the world, being a Christian in Indonesia is getting more difficult.
Said the group’s president, Jim Jacobson: “Religious persecution targeting minority Christians in Indonesia, particularly in West Java, is both systemic and systematic.”
Jacobson conducted a fact-finding mission to Indonesia last month, visiting numerous forcibly closed churches in West Java.



CFI says a radical Islamic group, AGAP, or Aliansi Gerakan Ant Pemurtadan, which translated means Anti-Apostasy Alliance Movement, is responsible for much of the persecution. Christian Freedom International is urging Indonesia’s Muslim government to allow religious freedom and intervene to stop the forced shutdown of churches by AGAP.
[. . .]



I was cleaning up after the 5 p.m. worship service. AGAP came through the doors. These were not our neighbors; they were from the outside. More than 50 of them came into the church, wearing masks and carrying swords and backpacks of stones. I was so afraid.
They were very angry. They were shouting, “Allah Akbar!” I went out to call for help from the neighbors and call the police to come. The police came but did nothing.
The AGAP came in around 10 p.m. They left at 3 a.m. the next morning. They said this is the last time you can worship here. They said we must not worship here again.

http://www.wnd.com/2005/10/32669/

Churches forced to close
in Indonesia
'Religious persecution … is both systemic and systematic'
Published: 10/05/2005 at 1:00 AM

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