-Indonesia: Radicals Force 110 Churches to Close

by Dr. D ~ April 5th, 2008

Attacks from radical Muslim groups and/or local governments have forced the closure of 110 churches in Indonesia in the last 3 years (2004-2007). Indonesia is the largest Muslim country with an 85% Muslim population, of its 220 million people, and only an 8.7% Christian population.

For years, the Christian community has been under persecution and had their rights violated on numerous occasions. As Islam has become more radicalized in recent years, the religious strife has increased. In many cases the local governments themselves have become more radical and government officials have been involved in the persecution, forcing Christians to move and churches to close.

West Java, Banten, Central Java, South Sulawesi and Bengkulu are the provinces which have the highest reported incidents of discrimination and violence against Christians and churches. *Top