"Remember 
those in prison 
and those 
who are suffering 
as if you yourself 
were suffering."
Hebrews 13:3 

  CSW Campaign West Java, Indonesia (11/21/05) 

CSW Campaign West Java, Indonesia (11/21/05)
CSW is concerned about a growing religious freedom crisis in Indonesia where over 30 churches have been closed in recent months. The main focus of the campaign by Islamists has been in West Java (see map), which has historically been a hard-line area. This campaign sheet focuses on a recent incident in West
	Java. Case details and background can be found on pages two and three. Also within this Campaign sheet are three practical ways in which you can help.

Background
Case
On Sunday October 16th, a street worship service was attacked by militants who assaulted one of the pastors in Jatimulya, East Bekasi area of West Java. The Lutheran, Presbyterian and Pentecostal congregations have held joint services in the streets since their churches were closed some five weeks ago. Some 300 militants reportedly physically assaulted Christians in full view of, and in some cases, with the active participation of police officers. The militants attempted to prevent the church services by holding their own religious service on the same street. When the Christians moved to another location to avoid confrontation, the militants became furious and launched an attack. The situation remains very tense. The Christian community in West Java (a region two hours away from the capital Jakarta) lives in fear of violence.

Case Background
This is just one incident in what is becoming a national campaign to close down Christian churches in Indonesia. The majority of the incidents have taken place in West Java, but there are indications that churches in East Java and even in the capital Jakarta itself are under threat. Whilst it is difficult to get accurate figures, it seems that over 30 churches have been closed down in the West Java region alone since September 2004. The militants are basing their actions on the Joint Ministerial Decree of 1969, called SKB, which requires permits from the local community or authorities to build a place of worship. It has been virtually impossible for churches to acquire permits, therefore the majority of the churches in Indonesia are considered ‘illegal’.

Pattern of attacks
First AGAP, a militant coalition made up of some 27 organisations including UK-banned Hizb ut-Tahrir, and Front Pembela Islam (FPI), threatens the pastor of a church to force him/her to sign a letter stating they will close down the church and not hold religious activities there.

If this fails AGAP will either co-operate or pressure the authorities. A meeting is held at sub-district level (includes community and religious leaders, head of military, head of police and local government officials) ostensibly to discuss the situation but in effect to negotiate the church closure with the church parties. At this meeting the sub-district officials and others try to pressure the church leaders to sign a letter to close down the church. These meetings will rarely include representatives of the local community as usually they have raised no objections to the church. If this fails then the head of the district government will issue a letter to close down the church. However they require a signature from the church leader for this. The Protestant church leaders have asked for meetings with Governor, head of Police, (KAPOLDA) and others but they have either refused to see them or claimed to be too busy.

Analysts believe that West Java was chosen to ‘launch’ the campaign as historically it is a hard-line stronghold. AGAP and FPI are principally responsible for the violent incidents. However, there are strong indications that the actual ‘brains’ behind the campaign is the National Council of Ulamas / Muslim Clerics (MUI). It is the MUI that has been behind instigating most of the church closures, together with members of the local government and police in West Java. It was also the MUI in West Java which brought up charges against three Christian ladies falsely accused of converting Muslim children. Dr. Rebecca Laonita Amdari (47), Ratna Malabangun (39) and Ety Pangesti (43) were convicted and sentenced for three years in prison in September 2005 despite a complete lack of evidence. Continued…/

The MUI issued eleven fatwas in July forbidding interfaith, pluralism and ‘liberal’ thought. Since then the attacks by the militants have intensified. Although Christians have been the
primary target, moderate Muslim networks and others have also been attacked. On September 19th four mosques, Islamic schools and numerous houses belonging to the Ahmadiyah faith group were burned down and destroyed.

The government has yet to take any concrete action to bring those responsible to justice. On the contrary the government stated it would not prosecute militant Islamists behind church closures in West Java as ‘they have not engaged in any violence’. The Minister of Religious Affairs stated in August “We will do nothing. We only clarify that there were no church closures”. He also said that the group only closed illegal congregations set up in residential areas as they “had created anxiety among local residents” (Jakarta Post 28.8. 05).

In contrast, there has been a strong reaction from the moderate Muslim leaders and community condemning the attacks. The former President of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid, and the former Speaker of the Parliament, Akbar Tandjung, even led a demonstration of some 1500 people protesting against the attacks. Many Muslim leaders have also called on the government to take measures to stop the church closures. Many local Muslim residents in West Java have also stated their objections to the attacks.

Country Background
Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim country with a population of over 220 million. Over 80% of the population are Muslim and some 10% are Christian. There are five officially recognized religions. Although Indonesia is a predominantly moderate Muslim country, there have always been hard-line factions, whose main aim is to establish an Islamic state in Indonesia. For years these factions were attempting to get Sharia law implemented. However, in recent years they have changed their tactics and are now working to implements elements of Sharia law into existing legislation. Militant factions have sympathetic supporters both in the government and the military, most notably the Speaker of the upper house (MPR), Nur Wahid. The Constitution does guarantee religious freedom in theory, but in practice minority faiths are facing increasing difficulties.

There are many ways that you can help:
Firstly, please PRAY!
Secondly, please tell others about what is happening
Thirdly …ACT! Use the campaign sheet to write to:
1. Your Senator. Ask him/her to take up these issues with the Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. Write to your Senator at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510. (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name). (see recommendations below.)

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: (202) 261-8577 
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Email: secretary@state.gov

2. Your representative in the House. Write to your Representative at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515.  (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name). 

Recommendations
For Senators
Please ask them whether they are aware of the crisis Indonesia is facing and whether they are aware of the attacks on religious freedom in West Java in particular.
Ask them to consider raising this issue through congressional inquiries and letters to the Indonesian government. Request that they continue to monitor the situation, and should it become worse, consider putting forward a resolution calling for a respect for religious freedom and plurality.

You might additionally ask your representatives:
1. To urge the Indonesian government to take immediate measures to stop the forcible closure of churches and other religious places of worship and to revoke decrees such as the SKB which are contrary to religious freedom.

2. To urge the Indonesian government to take immediate measures to bring to justice members of the militant groups like AGAP and FPI and the following individuals in particular believed to be responsible for criminal activity and violent threats against the Christian community in West Java. • Muhammad Mu’min Al-Mubarak, leader of AGAP • Hafidz Usman, head of West Java MUI • Habib Rizieq Shibab, national head of FPI

3. To ask the Indonesian government to investigate reports of local government and security officials participation in the militants attacks and activities or tacit endorsement of the militant activities. To bring those responsible to justice, in particular the West Java head of police Inspector General Edi Darnadi and the West Java Governor Danny Setiawan as well as local officials in Bekasi and Dayeuhkolot areas.

4. To urge the Indonesian government to ensure that its legislation and practice adheres to the international laws and guarantees for religious freedom.