Release International

Hundreds of Muslims celebrating the Islamic New Year's Eve abandoned a street procession to attack a half-built church in West Java.

A crowd of about 1,000 men, women and children were processing through Bekasi when they drew level with the church construction site in the Harapan Indah residential area. Many veered off towards the church and began to ransack it. Some started fires, causing several thousand pounds' worth of damage.

Kristina Maria Rentetana, head of the church building committee, told Compass Direct news agency that there had been no warning of the attack on December 17. Indeed, initially, she had joined the crowd as they walked along.

But as they drew near to the church, some in the crowd suddenly started throwing stones, Kristina said. 'They shouted, “Destroy it, destroy it!”' she said. 'Even women carrying babies joined in the stone-throwing.'

The police, who helped disperse the mob, blamed agitators in the crowd for turning the celebrations into a mob attack on the church. 'There were agitators among the crowd as they walked,' Sector Police Chief Iman Sugianto told Compass Direct. 'These persons incited the crowd to burn the church.'

Twelve people have been arrested in connection with the attack. The church's building committee has vowed to complete the construction work.

(Sources: Compass Direct, The Jakarta Post, The Voice of the Martyrs Canada)

• Pray for Kristina Maria Rentetana and the other members of the church which was attacked in Bekasi. Ask God to console them and strengthen their faith.
• Pray that those involved in the attack will repent of their actions and feel compelled to work towards interfaith unity and tolerance.

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