By: Daniel Harris

12/20/2016 Washington, D.C. (International Christian Concern) – On December 6, as hundreds of Christians in Bandung, Indonesia were lighting their candles and singing “Silent Night,” a group of radical Muslims stormed inside the building shouting, “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar” (Allah is great, Allah is great) and demanding that the celebration cease. The Christmas service, which was mostly comprised of students, was held to hear visiting Chinese-Indonesian pastor and singer Stephen Tong from Jakarta.

One of the leaders of a radical Islamic group in West Java claimed that the Christian meeting was illegal. He stated that Christians had tried to convert people by inviting them to the service and placing advertisements on public transportation. He also claimed that public places could not be used for religious activities. This claim was made despite the fact that the building where the meeting was held, the Gedung Sasana Budaya Ganesha, had also been used for Islamic events.

The radical group also claimed that the Christians did not have a permit to hold the meeting. The mayor of Bandung, who is known for his religious tolerance, made a statement online that the event had been properly coordinated with his office. The committee for the service has also issued a written statement that all legal requirements for the meeting had been fulfilled.

Almost ironically, shortly before the group stormed the building, the pastor had just prayed for the students to be able to live out the love that Jesus has given to them, saying “Let us go home with a thankful heart. Let us love God and others with the love of Jesus Christ just as He commanded us to. Christmas is not a day for hatred, but Christmas is a day for reconciliation and peace.”

This attack on religious freedom comes at a tense time for Indonesia and for minorities in the country. Chinese-Christian governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok, has been a source of ire among hardline Muslims and the cause for the hundreds of thousands of protesters in Jakarta who say that they should not be governed by a Christian. Historically, minorities have suffered during times of tension in Indonesia. In 1998, much of the political and economic frustration among Indonesians was taken out on ethnic and religious minorities, including Chinese and Christians. Chinese Christians in Indonesia have expressed fear of a repeat of such violence. It is also worth noting that the ethnicity of the visiting minister, who is Chinese-Indonesian, may have played a role in further kindling anger among radical Muslims.

It is becoming increasingly dangerous to be a Christian in Indonesia, but some are taking a stand with Christians. On December 4, 30,000 people rallied in Jakarta in support of religious tolerance and unity in Indonesia. Leaders from both of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organizations have spoken out in support of the Christmas service and berated radical Muslims who discriminate against Christians. They promised to help protect Christians during the week of Christmas and to encourage dialogue between hardline Muslims and Christians.

The Indonesian government is stepping in also, and has pledged its elite counter-terrorist force to help protect churches on Christmas day. They have also pledged to deploy 155,000 police, military, and para-military officers to increase security during the week of Christmas in what is known as “Operasi Lilin” (Operation Candle). Whether or not added police presence will protect Christians remains to be seen. Locals in Bandung told International Christian Concern (ICC) that a police force was posted outside the building to protect the Christians. Not only did they fail to stop the radicals, they even assisted in disrupting the service.

Christianity is one of the six religions recognized by the Indonesian government, and Christians are guaranteed religious freedom in Indonesia. Although most Muslims in Indonesia are moderate, increasingly vocal radical groups have been gaining ground politically and threatening the freedom and safety of minorities. ICC is working to support Christians in the most persecuted parts of Indonesia. ICC’s projects help support underground pastors, rebuild churches that have been destroyed, and improve livelihoods for those who are being persecuted. To find out more about these projects, visit www.persecution.org