Source:         Australian Prayer Network

Date:            October 21, 2007

Earlier this year, a nationwide conference of Protestant churches was held in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, to discuss the persecution of Christians in the country. 282 representatives from 82 churches attended the conference, along with foreign observers and partner organisations. At the conclusion of the assembly, the churches issued a joint statement calling on the Indonesian Government to address social problems in areas where Islamic militants were active. Special mention was made of the mistreatment of indigenous people in the province of Papua, of unsolved killings in Poso, Sulawesi and the influence of shari'a law on new by-laws being implemented in some districts.

Even though Indonesia is not an Islamic state, the government is under pressure from strong voices in favour of shari'a law. The implementation of shari'a severely disadvantages Christians and other non-Muslims, rendering them second-class citizens and inducing them to conform to Muslim expectations in dress, social behaviour, criminal punishment, and so on. Shari'a has only been implemented in one of Indonesia's 33 provinces - Aceh - but 22 districts and municipal governments have now adopted shari'a- based by-laws.

Where Islamic militants are active, Indonesian Christians face church closures, restrictions on freedom of worship, terrorist bombings in their communities, and discrimination and prejudice in daily life. Christian church and community leaders are particularly vulnerable to attack, assassination and being charged with crimes they did not commit. Conference chairman Rev. Andreas Yewangoe said churches have an important contribution to make in helping Christian citizens understand their rights and responsibilities in an Islamic society.

Source: Tears of the Oppressed