Indonesia (MNN) — Voice of the Martyrs Canada joins their
concerns with reports coming out of Indonesia from Compass Direct and
AsiaNews.
Christians in Bekasi, West Java have faced growing
opposition in recent months from Muslims opposed to "Christianization."
Church services throughout the city have been interrupted
and Christians threatened. There is also a push for sharia law in the region.
Opposition seems to have the stamp of approval from the
government, too. According to the
reports from CDN and AsiaNews, the Bekasi Islamic Congress set up a
"mission center" last month along with a youth army to oppose
Christian efforts.
Death threats are on the rise, too. Last Monday, a banner with the picture of a
Christian man with a noose around his neck was hung on the front of a mosque in
Bekasi, stating, "This man deserves the death penalty."
The picture was of 29-year-old Andreas Sanau, one of two men
accused of organizing mass baptisms. The false accusations came after busloads
of poor villagers arrived at a Christian relief agency on June 30 as part of an
outreach program.
Pray for protection for Christians in Bekasi. Pray that the authorities will protect the
Christians against opposition from militant Islamic groups.
