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Indonesia: Established Church Faces Eviction for Proximity to Islamic University, “We Hold Onto Hope”

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – A well-established in Indonesia has been threatened with eviction from its worship center because a new Islamic university has been opened in proximity to it, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

With more than 150 congregants, Huria Church (HKI) has been located at its site in Juanda Depok, Indonesia, for more than nine years, ICC reports. However, local authorities have threatened to close the church as the land on which it stands now belongs to the International Islamic University (IU), which opened in Depok City, West Java, three years ago.

The Communion of Indonesian Churches (PGI) has met with the Indonesian Ministry of Religion in an effort to prevent the eviction of Huria Church, but no final resolution has been attained.

“The fate of the church building, which now sits on UIII’s land, remains uncertain, “ ICC said in its report. “The Juanda IPR Advocacy Coalition has conducted hearings with UIII and the director of Islamic Higher Education before Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. Still, he has not yet made a decision,” ICC said.

In a statement to ICC, Toman Hutasoit, an HKI Juanda elder, attested: “This church, standing on the edge of cultivated land, is a testament to our unwavering spirit. We aspire to remain here despite our lack of power. With the collective prayers of our friends, we hold onto hope.”

Indonesia is a Muslim-majority nation that has been increasingly influenced by a conservative interpretation of Islamic law; the country ranks 42 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.