03/03/2020 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) – A group of people calling themselves the Community Care People Forum (FMPU) in Cilegon from Banten Province, Indonesia is rejecting all forms of religious activities from non-Muslims.

When local Catholics wanted to hold an Ash Wednesday Mass on February 26, FMPU Secretary Muhammad Rifqi, said he had held a meeting at the Al-Jauharotunnaqiyyah mosque, Palas, on February 12, 2020, which resulted in denial of religious activities other than Islam in Cilegon.

According to FMPU, there was a decree signed by the then regent (government officer in charge of a regency) in 1969 in connection with the establishment of PT. Krakatau Steel with the understanding that the city does not allow any form of non-Muslim religious worship in Cilegon.

Rifqi further stressed that religious leaders in Cilegon at that time strongly rejected the existence of all forms of non-Muslim religious activities as embodiments of the PT Krakatau Steel’s founding of understanding. He argued that the decree is still in effect today.

Known as an industrial city, Cilegon is also nicknamed the City of Steel, as it is the largest steel producer in Southeast Asia.

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