7/9/2025 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) — After members of the Batak Karo Protestant Church (GBKP) laid the first stone of their church building in Depok City, West Java, Indonesia, on July 5, hundreds of local Muslim residents protested the church’s construction. 

The residents shouted “Reject! Reject! Demolish!” during a demonstration near the construction site. Rudi Ardiansah, leader of the Community Empowerment Institute (LPM) in Kali Baru Village, stated that the opposition to the church construction stemmed from a lack of communication with residents.  

Zetsplayrs Tarigan, leader of Marturia Gereja GBKP Runggun Stuiod Alam Depok, said the church obtained a building permit on March 4, well before it laid the first stone. Two days before laying the first stone, the church met with local village and district leaders to discuss the start of its construction and asked the leaders to inform the community about the new church. Church leaders also announced that they would donate a portion of their land to be used as access roads for villagers.  

“So, when we had a meeting at the sub-district office, we conveyed all the documentation that we had completed all the requirements,” Tarigan said. “Additionally, with the residents, we can’t visit them one by one; instead, there are representatives (who can notify them).” 

Tarigan stated that the church had met various requirements, including approval from 60% of the residents, possession of a land certificate in the church’s name, and a recommendation from the Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB). 

This action adds to the long list of polemics related to the establishment of houses of worship in various regions of Indonesia, which are often complicated by administrative issues and concerns about harmony between religious communities. 

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