Release International

Indonesian Christians are being urged not to retaliate after an attack on a mission school in West Java.

Release partners report that more than 80 assailants raided a mission school linked to the Indonesia Bethel Church (GBI) in the Jonggol area of the province – 'escorted' by police and soldiers from the local military base.

The mob, who arrived on motorbikes after Friday prayers at the mosque, stormed every room, ripping down images of Jesus from the walls and demanding the school's closure.

The school, which trains students for Christian mission, was established in 1999 and has always enjoyed good relationships with neighbours and local government officials.

Release partners said the motive for the raid was hard-line Muslims' objections to what they perceive to be attempts to 'Christianise' the region. They said the attackers were 'not from the local neighbourhood surrounding this mission school'.

The school's director, who also leads a local church, said it was a mercy that the students were not in school at the time of the raid. He said he intended to raise the matter with the authorities.

A GBI senior official said it was important that the matter was seen to be resolved by believers in Christian-majority areas of this predominantly Muslim nation. Otherwise, he said, some Christians might be tempted to retaliate.

(Source: Release partners)

NEWS UPDATE:
Ethiopian courts have reportedly sentenced 579 Muslims to between three months and 18 years in jail for their part in anti-Christian violence in the Oromia region, west Ethiopia, in March (Prayer Alert, March 9, 2011). One person died and 69 churches and several Christian homes were destroyed in the week-long campaign of violence, which followed blasphemy accusations against a Christian in Asendabo. About 100 people are still to be tried – and eight of the main perpetrators are said to be still at large. Church leaders have welcomed the authorities' tough stance. Although Ethiopia is predominantly Christian, believers can face harassment and discrimination in some mainly Muslim areas. (Source: International Christian Concern)

• Pray that Christians in Indonesia will stand firm in their faith and not be tempted to retaliate against Islamist hardliners trying to curb church activities. Pray particularly that God will protect all those involved in the mission school and the church with which it is linked.
• Thank God for the Ethiopian authorities' swift and decisive crackdown on those who attacked Christian communities earlier this year. Ask God to continue to heal and restore all those affected by the violence.

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