Christians and Muslims against law regulating places of worship construction

Jakarta (AsiaNews/UCAN) –Muslim, Catholic and Protestant leaders in Indonesia announced a day of protest on July 23 against a 35-year-old law that requires government approval and local community acceptance for building places of worship. Religious leaders contend that this law is the lightening rod behind many attacks against churches and mosques.

They argue that, on the one hand, joint decisions (Surat Keputusan Bersama or SKP) by government and local communities in a predominantly Muslim country lead to discrimination against Christian churches; on the other, Muslims suffer from discrimination in areas where they are in the minority. The law in fact asserts building places of worship is lawful on condition that district authorities grant the permit following consultations with local clerics and taking into account the local situation.

The Association of Indonesian Pastors, the Jakarta Christian Communication Forum, and attorneys representing some religious associations have set up a committee (KPR) to challenge the law in a civil court. Others argue that the challenge should be brought before the Constitutional Court.

Habburokhman, a Muslim attorney acting as the KPR coordinator, told UCA News that he got involved convinced that the law was a violation of human rights. He added that the committee would set up a 15-member legal team to challenge the law before a Civil Court in August. He pointed out that the law was not only discriminatory vis-à-vis Christians and responsible for attacks against their places of worship, but also vis-à-vis Muslims living in minority situations. For this reason, the protest has both a political as well as a legal dimension.

"When we meet the leading contenders for the presidency and vice-presidency Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Yusuf Kalla as well as Megawati Soekarnoputri and Hasym Muzadi, we shall ask them to repeal the law after the September run-off election."

Reverend Sephrad Supit, secretary and spokesperson of the Association of Indonesian Pastors, said that the KPR wants to go beyond challenging this law; it wants to end "any and every violation that causes discrimination."

"Christians have been victims of violence, their churches damaged, and building permits for new ones are hard to obtain." He added that even in the privacy of their homes they cannot conduct prayer meetings without being harassed.

• indonesia
• palces
• of
• worship
• christians
• muslims
• law