Church Leaders Concerned About Increased ISIS Attacks in Indonesia

09/02/2016 Washington, D.C. (International Christian Concern) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on August 28, 18-year-old Ivan Armadi Hasugian attacked the priest of St. Yosep Catholic Church, a large Catholic church in Medan, Indonesia, and failed to detonate an explosive device that would have killed hundreds of Christians. Officials confirmed that Hasugian was inspired by ISIS leader Abu Bakar al-Baghdadi, but Hasugian confessed to receiving instructions from a stranger.

Witnesses report that Hasugian carried a backpack into the church and sat with the congregants during mass before launching the attack. During the service, Hasugian attempted to detonate his explosives, but only achieved a small explosion similar to fireworks. When the explosives failed, Hasugian rushed to the front with an axe to attack the priest, 60-year-old Albert Pandiangan. The explosion created a fire in the backpack, inflicting minor injuries on Hasugian, but did not deter his assault. The priest sustained a hand injury before congregants subdued Hasugian. Two accomplices sat with Hasugian, but they have yet to be apprehended.

Local pastors are worried that this attack will damage the religious harmony in Indonesia. Reverend Edi Gunawan, the provincial Assemblies of God leader of West Java, said, “The act of the bombing could destroy the inter-religious harmony that has been built there.”

Others local leaders, like Pastor Budi, see this as “a warning call for all churches in Indonesia, especially city churches. We cannot ignore this attack and must remain vigilant, especially toward newcomers carrying bags in the church because we never know what is inside the bag.”

Having the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia is known for moderate Islamic practices. However, ISIS is attracting Indonesian Muslims to Syria and Iraq where they are radicalized before returning home. Approximately one-fifth of Indonesians who joined ISIS have returned to Indonesia. This process is creating a sense of fear and caution among Christians. It is vital that the Indonesian government confronts both extremism and terrorism in order to discourage such attacks.

William Stark, ICC’s Regional Manager, said, “ICC condemns this attack on Christians in Indonesia. We understand that Indonesia has had historically moderate Islamic practices thus enabling harmony among different religions. We are concerned that ISIS-inspired attacks like this one will destroy such harmony and we call on Indonesian officials to demonstrate a no-tolerance policy for such religious extremism.”