Indonesia City Reopens Church Building, But Concerns Remain
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
JAKARTA (Worthy News) – Authorities in Indonesia’s East Jakarta city have reopened a church building three months after they closed it as part of a broader crackdown on devoted congregations in the world’s largest Muslim nation, Christians confirmed Thursday.
The East Jakarta City Planning Office sealed with a banner the building of the Palsigunung congregation of the Presbyterian denomination Indonesia Christian Church (Gereja Kristen Indonesia (GKI) on March 20.
The worship site is located in the Griya Ciracas business center in Kelapa Dua Wetan village, Ciracas Sub-District of the Municipality of East Jakarta, part of the Jakarta capital region.
“Christians broke into joyful celebration when local officials in East Jakarta… removed the seal on their church building on June 26, three months after it was closed,” said Christian news agency Morning Star News.
Though the church still needs a license to worship, Palsigunung GKI Assembly Chairman Jisman Hutasoit expressed optimism that the church would “soon complete all the required documents for licensing” by local authorities. The church had transferred to the site in March when flooding drove them from their usual worship site, Christians said.
Elsewhere in East Jakarta’s Mangunjaya village, Tambun Sub-District, weeks-long opposition to a church presence that culminated in disruption of worship on June 18 ended with a peaceful agreement on June 21, Christians said.
The head of the local Citizens Association and other Muslims disrupted the worship service of the Cahaya Fajar Pengharapan House of Worship after threats to ban worship and other intimidation, added Pastor Elyson Lase.
“The banning of my congregation from holding worship service on Sunday, June 18, was just a peak,” Pastor Lase told Morning Star News. “We’ve been exposed to the danger of threats, intimidations, and banning since last May, when the RT [neighborhood head] even issued a letter banning us from holding worship service.”
It comes amid broader concerns about the reported Islamic crackdown on churches involved in evangelistic outreach. Advocacy group Open Doors has ranked Indonesia 33rd on its annual World Watch List of 50 nations, where it says Christians face the most persecution for their faith.
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