http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/muslim-group-threatens-to-close-down-bekasi-church/358714
February 15, 2010 Muslim Group Threatens to Close Down Bekasi Church Hundreds of supporters of 16 Islamic social organizations in Bekasi, West Java, threatened to forcibly close Galileo Church, located in Taman Galaxy, South Bekasi, on Monday, alleging that the church was trying to convert Muslim residents. "We will close the church on Monday morning because their existence had disturbed the local residents, who are mostly Muslims," said the head of Bekasi's Islamic Defender Front (FPI) Murhali on TV One on Sunday. Murhali said that there were allegations that the church was carrying out a mission to convert residents. "We received reports that church officials often held a charity bazaar for locals but they were asked to say that Jesus is their God. I think it's a violation," he said. There were six churches in the housing complex. "At night, their singing disturbs the locals' sleep," he said. The organizations said they had issued a statement to urge Bekasi's municipal government to close the church, as regulated in Joint Ministerial Decree between the Religion Minister and the Home Affairs Ministers about places of worship. "The joint decree states that before a place of worship is built, it must get approval from 60 percent of local residents," he said. The officials of Galilea Church were not available for comment, but police were seen guarding the premises on Monday morning. Bekasi's Head Detective Comr. Budi Sartono advised demonstrators to conduct peaceful protests and avoid violence. He said police would not tolerate anarchy. "If mistakes have been made, let's correct the mistakes peacefully. Police and the government are open to suggestions for improvements from public," Budi said. Comments landreaumax 7:32 AM February 16, 2010 know what this country really needs? a secret police to tackle subvert organization like this fpi. treat them like terrorist, after that's what they are right? the government will never have the balls to shut this thing down. padt 5:27 AM February 16, 2010 A Catholic I know recently converted to Islam here in Jakarta. I don't recall his former Catholic congregation closing down the local mosque in protest. A person's right to practice their religion - and convert to an other if they so wish - is an inalienable human right that no one and no other religion has the right to challenge. The laws governing the rights of religious minorities in Indonesia are unjust and only serve the interests of the Muslim majority. Given, from my experience, that many Muslims here seem to have, first of all, a very limited and basic understanding of their own religion, and secondly, absolutely no understanding, based on facts, of any other religion, (what some Muslims have told me, as a Catholic , what Catholics believe is amazingly ignorant of the facts), Muslim prejudices will only serve to create social unrest in a pluralistic, so-called, democratic society. Marmz 9:30 PM February 15, 2010 The FPI are simply a state-condoned terrorist organisation. I wonder why they get any voice at all, the bigots. papaD 5:45 PM February 15, 2010 Simon: Which one? the foam or the vodka? :P peroblanco 5:15 PM February 15, 2010 5 call-to-prayers & nightly sing-alongs. I say that should be even steven. Although I can't bear the thought of having all 5 'official' religions' temples in my neighborhood, cos that would mean 5 different kind of ruckus. God help us all. Rules 2:30 PM February 15, 2010 Once more from the religion of peace. Amazing! peterR 1:56 PM February 15, 2010 There were six churches in the housing complex. "At night, their singing disturbs the locals' sleep," he said. That makes a change. Simon P 1:47 PM February 15, 2010 Heh heh, yes let's talk about disturbing locals' sleep shall we? Personally I use foam ear plugs which you can get down the chemist and vodka. Keeps me in the land of nod come 4am. papaD 1:09 PM February 15, 2010 FPI flexing its muscle again. I sometimes wonder whether i really have to listen to the azan at 4-5AM in the morning but i never complain about it. Roland 12:59 PM February 15, 2010 This FPI organization is still in existence? They stirred in the past so many times and caused so many troubles... On the other side I like the statement of the Bekasi's Head Detective Comr. Budi Sartono - whatever the outcome - it should be made in peace.
