Indonesia: Christian students and staff have 'nowhere to go'
Sep 16 2008
Postings >> Indonesia

Hundreds of Christian students and staff forced to flee their college by violent protesters now have nowhere to go after being asked to leave the campsite where they took refuge.

Staff and 600 female students from the Arastamar Evangelical School of Theology in East Jakarta have been living in tents since a Muslim mob raided their college in July (7x7, 2 September 2008).

Now the campsite manager has asked the group to leave and presented them with a bill for more than £16,000. College principal Matheus Mangentang is refusing to leave, saying that the governor of Jakarta had ordered them to stay at the campsite.

At least 20 students were injured when an armed mob attacked during the night on July 25. When rumours circulated locally that students would try to return to the campus, a mob gathered again at the entrance gate, bristling with swords and knives. They dispersed when the rumours proved false.

The police have still not carried out an investigation into the raid, says Compass Direct. Five hundred male students were sent to a 'transmigrant accommodation facility' in Bekasi.

(Sources: Compass Direct)

Ask God to strengthen the faith of students and staff from the Arastamar school.

Pray that the local authorities will act quickly to resolve this situation.