Indonesia was once known for its moderate and diverse Islam, but extremism is on the rise. Anger over the perceived “blasphemy” of former Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (better known as “Ahok”), a Chinese Christian, brought more than 200,000 people to the streets in 2016 and eventually led to his imprisonment. In August 2017 the government announced plans to further tighten blasphemy legislation, though a month earlier it ordered the disbandment of Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir “to protect Indonesia’s unity”.
Indonesia church bomb attack victim Trinity, 5, healing well, father says
Five-year-old Indonesian Christian girl Trinity, who was badly injured in a bomb attack on a church yard in November 2016, is healing well, her father told World Watch Monitor. After completing the first phase of treatment in China last month, she is soon to return for a second phase. Trinity […]
Ahok to stay in jail, Indonesian Supreme Court rules
Indonesia’s Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by the Christian former governor of Jakarta to review his conviction for insulting Islam, reports Reuters. The ruling means Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as “Ahok”, will serve out his two-year prison sentence for suggesting a passage from the Quran had been misinterpreted […]
Ahok ‘victim of cyber jihad against Indonesian government’
The Christian former governor of Jakarta who was jailed for blasphemy may have been a victim of a sophisticated anti-government campaign of “fake news” and malicious bots. Indonesian police believe they have uncovered a clandestine “fake news” operation designed to destabilise the government and corrupt the political process, the UK’s […]
Pre-election ‘warning’ attack on Indonesian church
An attack on a church in Indonesia by vandals has been described as a “political warning” ahead of upcoming regional elections in June, reports Asia News. Vandals destroyed a statue of the Virgin Mary and set fire to benches when they broke into St. Zechariah church just after midnight on […]
Indonesia Christians’ whipping a rare example of non-Muslims punished under Sharia
Two Indonesian Christians were whipped in public earlier this week in Banda Aceh, the capital of the Sumatran province of Aceh, as a crowd took photos and jeered. Dahlan Sili Tongga, 61, and Tjia Nyuk Hwa, 45, were being punished for breaking Sharia (Islamic law) by playing a game at […]
Indonesia: Ahok’s appeal ‘last chance’ to clear name
A first appeal hearing in the blasphemy case of the Christian former governor of Jakarta was held today (26 February) in what could prove his only chance to challenge the verdict. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as “Ahok”, has asked the Supreme Court for a review of the two-year prison […]
Indonesia: Ahok asks Supreme Court to review his blasphemy sentence
The Christian former Governor of Jakarta has appealed his blasphemy conviction to Indonesia’s Supreme Court A court spokesman said on 20 February that it had received a request for judicial review from Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who was sentenced in May 2017 in connection with a video in which he […]
Indonesia church attacker acted alone, police say
The man accused of injuring four people in an attack on an Indonesian church on Sunday morning (11 February) acted alone and obtained the weapon – a one-metre-long sword – in exchange for his mobile phone, police say. The suspect, a 23-year-old student identified as Suliyono from Bayuwangi in East […]
Indonesia: Catholics forced to stop aid work after accusations of converting Muslims
Catholics from a church in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta have been accused of proselytism while distributing aid packages to the local mostly Muslim community, Catholic news agency UCAN reports. The packages, containing basic necessities and healthcare, were delivered to locals as part of a programme to celebrate the elevation […]
Indonesia’s president tells Catholic students to work for ‘harmony’
Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo, opened the 30th Catholic students congress in Palembang, on the island of Sumatra, this week by telling them to work together for “peace” and “harmony”. The president told the 3,800 participants that the “Pancasila”, the five principles that make up the state philosophy of the Indonesian […]