On Sunday, Dec. 14, Muslims from several Islamic groups formed a line, preventing Christians from attending a worship service in the Grand Cikarang Village housing complex, located in Bekasi Regency, West Java, Indonesia. 

This is the third time Muslims have prevented Christians from worshipping at the HKBP Prayer House. The first occurred on Oct. 30, when a local ban on worship services took effect.  

At that time, several HKBP members who attempted to gather at the place of worship were repeatedly blocked by a group of people claiming to be residents, including some known to live outside the housing complex. 

Pastor Taripar Simanjuntak said the church had worshipped at this location in Grand Cikarang Village for seven years.  

This rejection was repeated on Sunday, Dec. 7. The congregation, which had diverted its journey through rice fields, was again blocked by several Muslim residents, who shoved Christians to prevent them from entering the worship space.  

Due to the ban on worship services, the Serang Baru HKBP congregation is now holding services at the FKUB Hall located in the Jababeka area of ​​Cikarang, Bekasi Regency. This relocation aims to avoid tension and ensure the congregation’s right to worship in peace. On Sunday, Dec. 21, about 250 HKBP members worshiped at the FKUB Hall. 

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