ICC Note: 

A few weeks ago, there was news about Muslims protesting the opening of a church in Makassar, in South Sulawesi. These protests were unsuccessful because the pastor was able to prove that he had all the necessary documents and the place of worship remained open. However, this church in South Jakarta was ordered to suspend all religious activity because the authorities denied them the building permit they needed to exist.The mayor said that the decision was taken after strong protests from locals against the construction of the place of worship. He explained that the Christians have permission to the construction of a home-office, but not to the elevation of a church. These discriminatory acts against Christians are very common in Indonesia. 

10/03/2016 Indonesia (Asia News) – The Protestant church of Pasar Munggu will suspend all religious activity because it lacks of the building permit from the authorities. This was decided by the mayor of South Jakarta in a communique to the faithful of the Batak Karo community. A letter sent by the local inter-department explains that the lack of building permit (IMB) is sufficient reason for the cessation of religious activity.

Tri Kurniadi, the mayor, said that the decision was taken after strong protests of the inhabitants of Pasar Minggu, who demonstrated against the construction of the place of worship. He explained that Christians have an IMB, but it refers to the construction of a home-office and not to the elevation of a church.

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