12/19/2018 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) – In Muslim majority community Purbayan, the top of a cross on a deceased Catholic’s tomb was cut off by local Muslims, while the mourners were banned from having prayers at the deceased’s house and had to take place at a nearby church.

The deceased Christian, Mr. Albertus Slamet Sugihardi, was a resident of Purbayan, home to some 150 families, 147 Muslims and three Christians. He worked as an ambulance driver for the Red Cross until he died of a heart attack on Monday. He was buried at the Jambon public cemetery.

However, based on local community standards, it is not permitted “to place religious symbols in the cemetery”.

“This is community consensus. He could be buried here, but there should be no Christian symbol,” Bejo Mulyono, a local figure, told Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Bejo said Slamet was allowed to be buried at the cemetery “because of an emergency”, but the cross on his grave had to be cut down. Also, Slamet could only be buried in the periphery of the cemetery, he added.

“In the future, this will be a Muslim-only cemetery,” he said.

According to Asia News, however, a local activist Hans Supatman claimed that this was not an act of vandalism and was done in full agreement with the deceased’s family – “There is no grudge between the family and neighbors,” he explained. “Everything is fine and even the funeral service was done quietly.” The ceremony took place in St Paul’s Parish church in Pringgolayan “to make things easier”.

For interviews with Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.