Indonesians seek salvation in shops

Shopping malls in West Java are home to a growing number of Christian congregations. Few of the people want to talk publicly about why they are there, but off the record they admit it comes down to intimidation by Muslim groups. According to Church groups more than 100 churches have faced attack or intimidation in the past two years.

Church leaders allege the group's members of FPI are forcing churches to close through violence and intimidation. Saipul Abdullah, the head of the FPI in this area, said that there may be people at the grassroots level who react emotionally.

"They become very angry and frustrated and little eruptions can happen," he said. "Maybe they'll tear down a sign, or shake some doors, or lock some doors, but they don't really have the right to do that." But, he said, this was not about religion. It is about the fact that some churches are not playing by the rules.

Only 20% of the Churches in this province have an official permit to hold religious services. To the others, often housed in temporary buildings, Saipul Abdullah and his group send letters asking for proof of their legal status. If they get no response, they issue a warning letter, and then pass the matter on to the police.

To get an official permit, congregations must get 90 signatures of support from their non-Christian neighbours. But in some areas, that is not easy to do. Pasundan Church has been holding services in a suburb of Bandung for more than 60 years. But its pastor, Olbertina Modesta, says that whenever they try to collect the signatures they need to make the site official, no one wants to sign.

But Pastor Olbertina doesn't believe this is simply a bureaucratic row. "Sometimes I heard that the mosque is saying we're not allowed to stay here," she said. "So that's why I believe it's not only about the permits, but about being Christian." Pastor Olbertina now holds her weekly service at a local hospital. Shopping malls and hospitals don't have religious licences either, but they are a bit more secure. And until congregations like hers can find a permanent home, it is where they will stay.

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Released on Monday 28th April 2008

Source and picture source - www.news.bbc.co.uk