In Teluknaga Christians celebrate Easter after fighting for a place to pray
After decades of moving from place to place, the Tesalonika Ecumenical Christian Congregation in Banten province celebrated Good Friday in their own house of prayer. However, they still have to contend with the seals placed on the place of worship by local authorities who refuse to issue permits, partly due to hostility from local residents. Minority groups often face this kind of obstacle in Indonesia.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – For a Christian community in Indonesia, Easter celebrations have been marred by an uphill battle to get a place of worship of their own.
On Friday, right in the middle of Easter services, the authorities sealed off a house of prayer belonging to the Tesalonika Ecumenical Christian Congregation (POUK)[*] in Teluknaga, Tangerang Regency, Banten Province.
The situation escalated on Good Friday, when hundreds of residents gathered near the house of prayer, demanding its permanent closure. Security forces, including the military, police, and other law enforcement personnel, were deployed to contain tensions.
At the heart of the controversy is a long-standing issue faced by many religious minorities in Indonesia: obtaining permits for places of worship.
For decades, the POUK community has had no fixed place of worship. Since the 1990s, its members have had to move regularly to engage in their religious activities.
In the 1990s, they held services in a rented shop, paying approximately 35 million rupees a year. Financial difficulties eventually forced them to terminate the contract.
In 2007, the congregation moved to the home of one of its members, in the Mutiara Garuda residential complex. However, the arrangement was short-lived due to protests from other residents.
From 2008 to 2023, services were held in a former church building near the airport. But the distance from Teluknaga posed considerable difficulties. The faithful were forced to rent vehicles to attend services, increasing their financial and logistical burdens.
This led to the move to the current prayer house at the centre of the controversy. Mr. Oktavianto Pardede, head of the POUK Tesalonika Foundation, insisted that the congregation took steps to maintain harmony with the surrounding community.
“The building is located far from any mosque, we use soundproofing, and we have coordinated with local authorities,” he explained, adding that the congregation applied for a building permit in 2023, but the application remains unresolved due to technical issues.
Despite these efforts, opposition persists from some residents whose pressure led to the building’s closure.
In the meantime, the Gekira Legal Aid Institute has intervened, offering support to the congregation. Its president, Santrawan Paparang, stated that the organisation will help navigate the legal process to ensure the protection of the community's right to worship. “We will accompany them so that their constitutional rights can be fulfilled,” he said.
Indonesia, home to the largest Muslim population in the world, officially recognises multiple religions and guarantees freedom of worship. However, in practice, minority groups often face red tape and social opposition in establishing places of worship.
The Tesalonika Ecumenical Christian Congregation in Teluknaga expressed deep gratitude for being able to celebrate the Good Friday liturgy in what they hope will become a permanent home.
“We are happy and grateful to be able to hold the Good Friday service here. We hope that in the future we can continue to worship in this place, because we have struggled and worked hard to build it,” said Jojor Pasaribu, 66.
[*] Persekutuan Oikoumene Umat Kristen.
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21/12/2021 14:29
06/12/2005
01/12/2005
