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 […]
Emotions Swirl as Blasphemy Trial Begins in Indonesia against Ahok
Jakarta governor in tears inside courtroom as protestors chant outside.
December 13, 2016 By -
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 -
(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 […]
Church Attack in Indonesia Kills 2-year-old Girl
Convicted terrorist linked with Islamic State arrested.
November 15, 2016 By -
(Morning Star News) – A former terrorism convict with ties to the Islamic State (IS) threw a home-made bomb at a church compound in Indonesia on Sunday (Nov. 13), killing a 2-year-old girl and seriously injuring three other children, according to The Jakarta Post. Intan Olivia was pronounced dead at 3:05 a.m. on Monday (Nov. […]
Religious Rights Violations in Indonesia Expected to Continue as Elections Approach
Islamic extremists said to be preparing to close more churches.
June 16, 2014 By -
JAKARTA, Indonesia (Morning Star News) – The average of 56 incidents of religious rights violations churches suffered annually in Indonesia over the past seven years is not expected to abate following elections next month, sources said. Jakarta Christian Communications Forum records show churches suffered 392 incidents of religious rights violations, mainly closures and attacks, from 2007 […]
Beleagured Church in Indonesia Forced Out of its Building
Threat of violence from Islamic extremist group leads to closure of newly opened facility.
January 18, 2014 By -
LOS ANGELES (Morning Star News) – A small church in Central Java, Indonesia that has struggled for more than a decade to keep its worship facility celebrated a re-opening last month, only to see it shut before Christmas due to protests from hard-line Islamists. The 41 Christians of the rural church in Pepanthan Dermolo village, Jepara […]
Pastors in West Java, Indonesia Struggle with Church Closures
A quiet Christmas for two congregations.
December 29, 2013 By -
WEST JAVA, Indonesia (Morning Star News) – Two days before Christmas, the Rev. Titus, a pastor in Cimahi, West Java who goes by a single name, was initially too upset to discuss the events that led to the closure of his church. The usually jovial and open pastor of Isa Almasih Church (Gereja Isa Almasih, […]
Christian Tragedy in the Muslim World
An antidote to the West's dysfunctional spin on Islam.
July 30, 2013 By -
(Morning Star News) – Few people realize that we are today living through the largest persecution of Christians in history, worse even than the famous attacks under ancient Roman emperors like Diocletian and Nero. Estimates of the numbers of Christians under assault range from 100 million to 200 million. According to one estimate, a Christian […]
Church Closures, Demolition Spark Protest in Indonesia
Pressured by Islamists, officials crack down on Christians in West Java.
April 12, 2013 By -
NEW DELHI (Morning Star News) – Hundreds of Christians hit the streets of Indonesia’s capital this week to urge government action after local officials demolished a church building and threatened to close others at the behest of Islamist forces. Christian protestors, joined by minority Ahmadiyya and Shia Muslims, held a shared prayer service and sang the […]
Will We Be Their Voice?
Bill would create special envoy for religious minorities in the Middle East/South Central Asia.
January 17, 2013 By -
(Morning Star News) – Christians worldwide just celebrated the birth of Jesus. For many in the West this was a festive season marked by worship services, gift-giving and time with family and friends. But for the church in the Middle East, fear of persecution cast a long, dark shadow over the Christmas holiday. Oppression […]
Ordinary Muslims in Indonesia Violating Rights, Study Finds
Most religious rights violations were directed at Christians in 2012.
January 4, 2013 By -
NEW DELHI (Morning Star News) – Concerns are growing over at least 50 cases of religious freedom violations against Christians in Indonesia last year, as not only extremists but ordinary Muslims were responsible for many of the acts of intolerance and violence, according to a recent study. “Cases of intolerance against Christians remained high in the […]