Indonesia: Theology school forced to move
Sep 02 2008
Postings >> Indonesia

Hundreds of Christian theology students have been living in tents since a Muslim mob stormed their college in July armed with bamboo spears, acid and Molotov cocktails.

Weeks of talks since the violence on July 25 have led to the Arastamar Evangelical School of Theology's decision now to close its 20-year-old campus in East Jakarta and move to the other side of the capital.

Tensions between the school and its Muslim neighbours in Kampung Pulo district have been building for years, amid locals' complaints about prayer and worship. On July 25, students were woken around midnight by the crash of stones hitting the roof and a mosque loudspeaker urging locals to rise up against their 'unwanted neighbour'.

Eighteen students were injured before the school's 1,400 staff and students could be safely evacuated. RI sources say some students spent at least two nights in the lobby of Indonesia's parliament. Early reports said the raid was triggered after news spread that a student had broken into a nearby house - but police later dismissed the accusation.

A protest banner now hangs across the entrance to the neighbourhood. It reads: 'We the community of Kampung Pulo demand the campus be closed and dissolved.'

(Sources: Associated Press, Compass Direct, The Voice of the Martyrs Australia)

Ask God to bless and protect staff and students at the college.

Pray that Indonesian citizens will reflect now on incidents such as the raid on this Jakarta college and vote for religious tolerance in next April's elections.