Released - Christian accused of blasphemy in Indonesia
May 06 2008
Postings >> Indonesia

An Indonesian clothes trader who was charged with blasphemy after sharing his Christian faith with his customers has been released from jail.

Abraham Bentar Rohadi (55) was accused of blasphemy against Mohammed by his own brother-in-law. He was arrested in March 2006 and sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail after being beaten almost to death by an angry mob. He was released early on parole last week.

Abraham was brought up a Muslim. When he was 48 he had a stroke and was prayed for by a Christian pastor.

In a dream, he saw a man he recognised as Jesus. He resolved to become a Christian if he recovered from the illness.

Abraham did recover and was baptised. He became active in sharing his faith with his customers in West Java.

After his brother-in-law filed blasphemy charges he was attacked by a mob who ransacked his clothing van and set fire to it. They were chanting 'Burn him!', when they police arrived.  

Abraham was bleeding from his ears and nose. A police doctor said if it had taken just ten minutes longer to get him to hospital, he would have died.

The court sentenced him to four-and-a-half years. He says he was beaten badly before the hearing and his interrogators tried to force him to recite the shahada - the Islamic declaration of faith.

Even in jail they didn't give up, knocking out six of his teeth trying to persuade him to return to Islam. 'I told the other prisoners it is because I really understand the Koran that I converted to Christianity,' he said.

Abraham shared his faith with his six cellmates. He said: 'I feel honoured to be in this prison, because I'm here for the truth of the Lord's word. Every day I make friends with criminals and murderers who thirst for the truth.

His message to Christians in other nations is: 'My brothers and sisters, don't be half Christians. Let us know Jesus deeper. You are the open gospel. Be bold. Do not be afraid or discouraged when these situations happen to you.'

An interview with Abraham Bentar can be seen on the internet on GodTube.

During his time in prison Christians sent Abraham and his wife more than 10,000 letters of support from around the world.

Release International, which serves the persecuted Church in 30 nations, has been supporting Abraham's wife Kristowadi and their 14-year-old daughter Rinda. Release helped Kristowadi set up a kiosk in the capital and pay the rent on her house.

'The Bible tells us to stand with our brothers and sisters in jail. In very practical ways you can help us to help them,' says Andy Dipper, Release International's CEO. 'Together we can partner with the persecuted Church.'