SURABAYA, Indonesia (Morning Star News) – Muslim villagers in West Java, Indonesia on Christmas Day stopped a congregation from celebrating Christmas in a home, according to various sources. The interference came within hours of Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s historic visits to two churches in nearby Bogor, where he urged congregations to continue harmonious relations with people […]
Muslim Villagers Halt Christmas Celebrations in Indonesia
Home worship stopped within hours of president’s appeal for unity.
December 29, 2022 By - Leave a Comment
Official Bans Christmas Celebrations in District in Indonesia
Action comes despite lack of national-level restrictions.
December 21, 2022 By - Leave a Comment
SURABAYA, Indonesia (Morning Star News) – A high-level official in western Indonesia on Saturday (Dec. 17) announced an agreement with a multi-faith body that prohibits Christmas celebrations in a district at sites without government approval. The agreement effectively bans religious Christmas celebrations in Java Island’s Maja District, Banten Province as strict requirements and bureaucratic opposition make obtaining […]
Officials Join Opposition to Church Construction in Indonesia
Government interference comes into the open in western Java.
November 2, 2022 By - Leave a Comment
SURABAYA, Indonesia (Morning Star News) – Two local officials in Indonesia joined Islamist organizations’ call to block construction of a Christian church, triggering objections nationwide the past two months, according to published reports. In western Java Island’s Banten Province, Cilegon Mayor Heldy Agustian and his deputy, Sanuji Pentamarta, were among those who signed a petition to ban […]
Authorities Seal Shut Three Church Buildings in Indonesia
Islamists pressure local officials, Christian leaders say.
October 4, 2018 By - Leave a Comment
(Morning Star News) – Police in Jambi, on Indonesia’s island of Sumatra, last week escorted members of a Methodist church congregation out of their building and sealed the door shut. While church members wept, the Jambi Civil Service Police pasted a notice declaring the building was sealed due lack of a permit, as seen in […]
Islamic Extremist Suicide Bomber Family Attacks Three Churches in East Java, Indonesia
Deadliest assault in more than a decade on the archipelago.
May 14, 2018 By - Leave a Comment
(Morning Star News) – Islamic extremists in Indonesia, including a family of suicide bombers that targeted three churches, launched multiple attacks yesterday and today that reportedly killed at least 12 people not including the assailants. The father of the family that killed the Christians on Sunday (May 13), Dita Futrianto, was the suspected head of […]
Muslim Extremist Who Attacked Church in Indonesia Tried to Go to Syria
Priest, three parishioners and policeman wounded in sword attack.
February 16, 2018 By - Leave a Comment
(Morning Star News) – A Muslim extremist who attacked a Catholic church in Indonesia on Sunday (Feb. 11) had tried to go to Syria, according to reports. The 23-year-old identified as Suliyono of Bayuwangi in East Java wounded a priest and three others during Mass at St. Lidwina Catholic Church in Central Java’s city of Yogyakarta. […]
Indonesia Joins Repressive Islamic Regimes in Sentencing Ahok to Prison for ‘Blasphemy’
Statute treads on human rights in world’s largest Islamic country.
May 9, 2017 By - Leave a Comment
(Morning Star News) – Indonesia took a huge leap backwards in its reputation as a moderate Islamic democracy today when a court sentenced the Christian governor of Jakarta, Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, to two years in prison for “blasphemin The blasphemy accusation was key in Ahok’s defeat in a bid to be re-elected as governor […]
Morning Star News’ Top 10 Persecution Stories of 2016
Jihadists fight under the radar in Africa.
January 6, 2017 By - Leave a Comment
(Morning Star News) – While war in the Middle East dominated international headlines, Islamic extremists in the shadows were taking jihad to Christian civilians in Africa with unprecedented intensity in 2016. In Nigeria, Muslim ethnic Fulanis looked less like nomadic herdsmen and more like well-armed, well-funded jihadist militants. Close Muslim relatives and Islamist village mobs […]
Emotions Swirl as Blasphemy Trial Begins in Indonesia against Ahok
Jakarta governor in tears inside courtroom as protestors chant outside.
December 13, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
VICTORIA, Australia (Morning Star News) – The blasphemy trial of Jakarta Gov. Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama began this morning, with the ethnic Chinese Christian breaking into tears inside the courtroom while hundreds of people protested outside. Some 2,000 police officers kept anti-Ahok and pro-Ahok protestors apart outside the heavily guarded court. Those opposing Ahok chanted, “Jail […]
Indonesia Faces Defining Moment in ‘Blasphemy’ Protests against Christian Governor Ahok
Islamic-majority ‘model democracy’ challenged by religious-based political furor.
December 1, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
(Morning Star News) – Having concluded their investigations, Indonesian police have now named Jakarta’s ethnic Chinese Christian Gov. Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama a suspect in a blasphemy case. The case that has produced virulent protests will now to go trial. Islamic fundamentalists are now demanding he be arrested and incarcerated, as is normally the case with […]