ICC Note: On Sunday Christians worshiping on the Indonesian island of North Sumatra were forced to abandon their worship service and cancel planned services after hundreds of radical Muslims, many belonging to the extremist Islamic Defenders Front, disrupted the service and began issuing threats. Police in riot gear were forced to step in and escort the Christians away from the church, though it is unclear of any of the radicals disrupting the service were arrested. Last year radicals managed to pressure local governments across Indonesia to shut down as many as 50 Christian churches using a highly controversial building permit law as justification. Although the closing of churches be local governments in Indonesia dropped considerably after the first few months of this year, radical groups continue to try to intimidate Christians into abandoning their property and relocating their churches. 
12/2/2013 Indonesia (AsiaNews) – A group of extremists belonging to the Islamic Defenders Front attacked and disrupted the Sunday services of the Tandemn Huria Kristen Batak Protestant ( Hkbp ) community in the city of Binjai , the Indonesian province of North Sumatra . hundreds of faithful of the local Christian community had to abandon their church – official and recognized – and close traditional weekend services early because of the threats made by the fundamentalists. The faithful returned to their homes, escorted by police in riot gear.
Eyewitnesses reported that the assault yesterday morning against the Protestant Christian community was led by hundreds of FPI members, supported by some local Islamist groups . The assailants shouted loudly that the “church” is not legal , the authorities in the area, according to the extremists , have not take any decision on the legitimacy of any ” activities of worship ” in the building .
The Islamists attack comes in conjunction with the decision by local authorities, who must determine whether the place of Christian worship is or is not valid. The case is still pending and the surprise extremist attack could be aimed at putting pressure on judge.
Nasir Ahmad , FPI coordinator, said that the interruption of the Hkbp function had the “support ” of the political authorities, as previously insured during a special meeting on 27 November 2013. During the meeting they discussed the issue with the leaders of Binjai . The Islamists claim that the “church” is not legal , because the case ” is still pending in court ” and has not received the approval of the local population . Zainnudin Purba, an MP for Binjai , points the finger at the local administration which has been unable to make a decision on the matter for more than five years.
Indonesia is the most populous Muslim nation in the world (86 % profess Islam) and, while maintaining the constitutional principle of basic personal freedoms (including religious) , it is increasingly becoming a theater of violence and abuse against minorities . Christians make up 5.7% of the population; Catholics just over 3 %, 1.8 % are Hindu and 3.4% of other religions. The province of Aceh applies Islamic law and many other areas are becoming more radical and extreme the application of the Muslim religion in the lives of citizens.
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