Mathias Hariyadi

Jakarta, the Constitutional Court will consider amendments to the blasphemy law

According to police, he is implicated in violence that hit central Sulawesi between 2000 and 2007. He is currently held in a special high security detention centre where he is being interrogated by prosecutors. In Jakarta, 50 Islamic extremists are set to go on trial, including the moneyman for the July 2005 hotel attacks.

At least 1,000 people set fire to the Pentecostal community places of worship. According to local Muslims, the two buildings did not have the legal permits as "churches." The Nahdlatul Ulama admits the violence of radical Islamists against Christians. In 2009 in Indonesia, 35 cases of violation of religious freedom, 28 against Christians.

Fancy perms and photo albums made before marriage are ‘haram’, i.e. contrary to Islamic religion and morality. Two East Java educational institutions issue the ruling in order to preserve the “purity” of customs. Indonesia’s Ulema Council describes the fatwa as “exaggerated”.

The motion made by the royal family which rules the province with special status, is supported by the local Council of Ulema. The city, renowned tourist destination and for its university, is famous for its pluralism and tolerance. Inside hundreds of ethnicities peacefully coexist.

The Protestant community of Bekasi complains about Muslim hard-liners and the authorities’ decision to stop their activities. Christian leader is bitter but hopeful. Interfaith dialogue activist warns that tensions might lead to violence.

The city is a hub of Islamic extremism. It was also the birthplace of radical Islamist leader Abu Bakar Bashir as well as the refuge of Malaysian terrorism Noordin Top. A radical version of Islam and self-imposed exclusivism favours spread of radicalism.

A crowd of protesters prevented the faithful reaching the church. Similar provocations on Christmas Day and 27 December. The protests provoked by the refusal to issue permission to build places of Christian worship. Activist for peace: the scenario is "worrying."

He often defended the freedom of Christians. Has guaranteed full citizenship to ethnic Chinese in Indonesia following the violence in the days of Suharto. It was the first Indonesian president elected by the people. The organization of which he was president, the Nahdlatul Ulama, is the most ecumenical of the Islamic world.

The attack by unknown assailants occurred in early December in the village of Tlogowero, Bansari sub district (Java). Police issued a statement on the matter only yesterday. For residents, the incident was caused by Muslim objection to the presence of Christian buildings in their villages.

Muslims hold ceremonies in Aceh. Buddhists pray in Thailand. Sri Lanka holds two minutes of silence to commemorate one of the worst disasters in history. Meanwhile, corruption continues to hamper reconstruction.

Tens of thousands of police and army units deployed to protect places of worship. Among the provinces considered most at risk the Central Java and West Java. In recent days, the Christian community has suffered threats and assaults. Father in-law of Noordin M. Top, one of the country's most wanted, captured.