Release International

Islamist hardliners are using fighting talk about the 'Christianisation' of Bekasi, amid rising interfaith tensions in the city.

Nine Islamic groups meeting in the West Javan city have reportedly joined forces in a campaign to prepare local mosques to 'wage war on' the growing Christian influence in the city.

The group is recommending that each local mosque should form its own laskar or 'paramilitary unit' to enforce Sharia or strict Islamic practices on local Muslims – and insisting that the Bekasi administration's policymaking should reflect this code.

Hardliners say they are reacting to what they see as a concerted attempt by the church to extend its reach in Bekasi, a commuter city for Jakarta. Mass baptisms of Christians who were raised as Muslims are cited as a particular issue for concern.

On June 20, the Pondok Timur Indah Church in Mustika Jaya subdistrict was shut down. A spokesman for the mayor of Bekasi confirmed that the church closure was a response to demands from Islamist hardliners, who had declared the church 'illegal'. A church-run school in Bekasi was attacked last month, after blasphemy allegations against a 16-year-old blogger.

Church leaders are now calling on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to defend the Christian minority in the face of mounting intimidation.

(Sources: BBC, International Christian Concern, The Jakarta Globe)

• Praise God that the church in Bekasi appears to be thriving. Ask Him to protect His people in this city.
• Pray against moves to revive religious tensions in a nation still recovering from conflict fuelled by jihadists.

Back to top