Churches forced to close in Indonesia

More and more churches in Indonesia are being forced to close as a campaign against minority Christians intensifies in the world's largest Muslim nation.

According to Christian Freedom International, a group that helps persecuted believers around the world, being a Christian in Indonesia is getting more difficult.

CFI says a radical Islamic group, AGAP, or Aliansi Gerakan Ant Pemurtadan, which translated means Anti-Apostasy Alliance Movement, is responsible for much of the persecution. Christian Freedom International is urging Indonesia's Muslim government to allow religious freedom and intervene to stop the forced shutdown of churches by AGAP.

Said Jacobson in a statement: "AGAP has a mission to close churches and basically eradicate Christianity in Indonesia. They use fear, intimidation, threats and obscure government regulations, in cooperation with local officials, to accomplish their goal."

CFI quotes one Indonesian Christian, Jacob, telling the story of one church closure:

I was cleaning up after the 5 p.m. worship service. AGAP came through the doors. These were not our neighbors; they were from the outside. More than 50 of them came into the church, wearing masks and carrying swords and backpacks of stones. I was so afraid.
They were very angry. They were shouting, "Allah Akbar!" I went out to call for help from the neighbors and call the police to come. The police came but did nothing.

The AGAP came in around 10 p.m. They left at 3 a.m. the next morning. They said this is the last time you can worship here. They said we must not worship here again.

At least 35 churches in Bandung and neighbouring regions have been closed by Islamic mobs during the past 12 months alone, CFI reported.

WND