Muslims in Indonesia on Dec. 8 prevented Christians from holding a Christmas service at a pastor’s home, sources said.
Muslim residents blocked the road to the house of the pastor of the Pentecostal Church in Indonesia Tegar Beriman, keeping church members from attending a Christmas service, according to local media citing a video on the social media platform X.
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The Muslims claimed the site was not officially approved by the government, but church Pastor Nicky Jefta Makary said he had given prior notice of the 3 p.m. Christmas service to the neighborhood association, the head of the residents’ association, the local police chief and a Military Unit Command, according to news outlet Kilat.com.
‘Why are we being hindered’
A meeting in a private home does not require permission in Indonesia, and Pastor Nicky said he knew the regulations governing Christmas services.
“I remind you that this country is a country that upholds human rights,” he told Kilat.com. “Why are we being hindered, when we want to do something good?”
Indonesia ranked 42nd on the Christian support organization Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. Indonesian society has adopted a more conservative Islamic character, and churches involved in evangelistic outreach are at risk of being targeted by Islamic extremist groups, according to the WWL report.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written and originally published by Morning Star News.
