Indonesia[edit] See also: Christianity in Indonesia In January 1999[138][139] tens of thousands died when Muslim gunmen terrorized Christians who had voted for independence in East Timor.[140] In Indonesia, religious conflicts have typically occurred in Western New Guinea, Maluku (particularly Ambon), and Sulawesi. The presence of Muslims in these regions is in part a result of the transmigrasi program of population re-distribution. Conflicts have often occurred because of the aims of radical Islamist organizations such as Jemaah Islamiah or Laskar Jihad to impose Sharia,[141][142] with such groups attacking Christians and destroying over 600 churches.[143] In 2006 three Christian girls were beheaded as retaliation for previous Muslim deaths in Christian-Muslim rioting.[144] The men were imprisoned for the murders, including Jemaah Islamiyahs district ringleader Hasanuddin.[145] On going to jail, Hasanuddin said, Its not a problem (if I am being sentenced to prison), because this is a part of our struggle.[146] Later on November 2011, another attack from Islamic community happen in Ambon. Muslims set fire to several Christian houses, forcing the occupants to leave the buildings.[147] In December 2011, a second church in Bogor, West Java was ordered to halt its activities by the local mayor. Another Catholic church had been built there in 2005. Previously a Christian church, GKI Taman Yasmin, had been sealed. Local authorities refused to lift a ban on the activities of the church, despite an order from the Supreme Court of Indonesia.[148] Local authorities have persecuted the Christian church for three years. While the state has ordered religious toleration, it has not enforced these orders.[149] In Aceh Province, the only province in Indonesia with autonomous Islamic Sharia Law, 20 churches in Singkil Regency face threat of demolition due to gubernatorial decree requires the approval of 150 worshippers, while the ministrial decree also requires the approval of 60 local residents of different faiths. On 30 April 2012, all the 20 churches (17 Protestant churches, 2 Catholic churches and one place of worship belonging to followers of a local nondenominational faith) have been closed down by order, from the Acting Regent which also ordered members of the congregations to tear down the churches by themselves. Most of the churches slated for demolition were built in 1930s and 1940s, and now the regency only has 2 churches open, both built after 2000.[150][151]
Posted on: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 05:25:50 +0000
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