ASIA/INDONESIA-Six churches threatened by extremist groups, other two will be demolished by the state

Jakarta (Agenzia Fides) –Islamic extremists of the Islamic Defenders Front ("Front Pembela Islam," FPI) took to the streets en masse in Bekasi, one of the biggest suburbs of the metropolis of Jakarta, threatening to raze six Christian churches in the area. The police were alerted and ordered, in advance, forced closure of six churches, to avoid riots. According to local sources of Fides, the majority of Islamic militants come from outside, therefore, "we are talking about an organized action": "They came after the Muslim prayers on Friday, challenging the presence of churches in several villages, although the locals have never raised any objections". According to the militants, the churches, that belong to the evangelical Christian community, rose without authorization, and therefore must be dismantled. "Either the state does it, or we will deal with this issue", say the militants. In the suburbs of Jakarta, such as Bekasi and Bogor, inter-religious tension remains high due to the presence of Islamic militants, who do not take kindly to the presence of Christian communities, accusing them of proselytizing.
Fr. Benny Susetyo, Secretary of the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue in the Episcopal Conference of Indonesia, says to Fides: "The main problem for the peaceful coexistence in Indonesian society is the presence of extremist groups like the FPI. The government should do more to stop them, ensuring the rule of law and fundamental principles of Pancasila. I hope that the international community gives a warning to the Indonesian government in order to respect freedom of religion. The problem of fundamentalism exists today, inside the Muslim world".
Another story, report Fides sources, affects the Christian community of Manado on the island of Sulawesi (eastern Indonesia). There is a real risk that, at the end of 2011, two Christian churches are demolished in Manado, one apparent to the reformed church, another of the Pentecostal Church. On the two churches, which have been opened for worship for decades, there is a demolition order issued by the Supreme Court: the two houses of worship, in fact, stand on the disputed land, claimed by heirs of a former owner who had sold it more than 50 years ago to the Christians. The local faithful are organizing initiatives and public events and have announced non-violent forms of protest to prevent the demolition. Fr. Susetyo hopes, in that case, "a different solution, perhaps with a clearing of land, taking into account the needs and history of the Christian community". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 28/11/2011)