Hundreds of members of Banser, a paramilitary group, moderate; have protected the Christmas celebrations of the GKI Yasmin Church in Bogor against the threat of radical Islam. Their presence has also been noted in central Java, to protect churches.
Fundamentalists attack the faithful of the parish of St. John the Baptist in Parung. Threats of attacks if prayers services are held. For Islamists, the building has nopermit. Allegations rejected by the local faithful. For the Executive Secretary of the Bishops' Conference it is a clear violation of religious freedom.
A group of believers build bathrooms, pave floors and other jobs for households without toilets. Even in non-Christian families. Last year the community promoted the "reforestation" of the area, getting the support of the ministry and the police. Priest promotes visits to families in remote areas.
The act of vandalism occurred last night in Sendag Prawito (Semarang Archdiocese), in a small chapel devoted to Our Lady. A cross was also stolen and some religious objects were destroyed. The archbishop demands Christians be protected during the Christmas period.
More unrest in the Moluccas, long-time site of sectarian clashes. Police seize weapons, including Molotov cocktails, arrows and machetes. On December 12, two wounded in an ambush. The central government condemns the incidents and calls for respect for the law. Army chief claims the situation is "under control".
The Council of Yasmin Church rejects the Interior Ministry offer to find three alternative sites for the construction of the church opposed by the Mayor of Bogor. After the Supreme Court ruling, in favor of Yasmins Church, "The Ministry of Interior must apply the law, not the contrary."
Delegations representing moderate Muslim groups take part in the celebrations, which began last Sunday in great pomp in Jakarta’s main stadium in the presence of 100,000 people, including Indonesian President Yudhoyono. More events are scheduled for the coming weeks in various cities.
About 70 people signed up for the course, including people in their 80s, happy to share their faith in Christ. The programme, which took almost three months to prepare, focused on proclaiming the Word of God. The courses ended in a day of retreat.
A fundamentalist group is appealing to local government, to obtain the closure of places of worship. They allege the faithful do not have a building permits (IMB). In reality, the local government refuses to release the documents, despite the clearance from provincial authorities. Threats also affect nine churches in West Java.
The small island, inhabited mainly by Christians and Catholics, hit by torrential rains. A huge landslide swept away dozens of houses in one go. In 2004 and 2005 tsunami and earthquake nearly two thousand dead and inhabitants forced to leave the island.
A national demonstration from Surabaya to Jakarta organized by the Islamic movement Nahdlatul Ulama has crossed the country to combat radicalization of Islam and revive pluralism.
The animals are victims of a slaughter campaign that began in 2008 and continues through the connivance of police and authorities. Behind the killings companies that own the palm trees plantations. The crops have taken the place of the forest, altering the natural habitat of the primates.
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive verified news, analysis and insights from Asian countries every week.
Subscribeto the newsletter
