Indonesia: Christian Leaders Sentenced for Prayers
Nov 13 2007
Postings >> Indonesia

Forty-one Christian leaders in Indonesia have been sentenced to five years in jail for praying that Muslim leaders would 'come to Christ'.

The leaders, who are linked to Campus Crusade for Christ, were found guilty of blasphemy at a prayer meeting in East Java in December 2006. The meeting was videoed -- and a copy of the video leaked to a  Muslim organisation. They then handed the tape to the media.

The specific charge levelled against the Christians was 'abusing the Koran' -- because the group were filmed praying over a copy of Islam's holy book. The case was brought under Article 156 KUPH, which mandates a prison term for anyone 'expressing hatred or opposition, or insults an individual or groups of Indonesian citizens in public'.

The convicted Christians include parents of young children. Their lawyers say the group is planning to appeal at the East Java High Court in Surabaya.

An official from the highest Muslim authority in Indonesia -- the hardline MUI -- said that a total of 60 Christians were being sought in connection with the video. 'We don't want revenge but only justice,' said an MUI spokesman.

• Pray for the 41 Christians convicted of blasphemy; pray their appeal will succeed.
• Pray for the Indonesian church in general, that it would stand firm despite pressure from Muslim hardliners.