Tag: Jakarta

Indonesia sees reduction in religious freedom violations

January 24, 2018 Indonesia Ahok, Churches, Indonesia, Indonesian Ulema Council, Islamic Defenders Front, Jakarta, Java, Pentecostals, Religious freedom

In 2010, Bogor’s GKI Yasmin church was sealed and padlocked by order of the mayor and city government. They still hold Sunday services outside the church, and stage monthly services outside Indonesia’s Presidential Palace.. (Photo: World Watch Monitor)

Indonesia saw fewer violations of religious freedom in 2017 than the year before, a national human rights group said this week, although it said it remained concerned about “the politicisation of religious and social differences”. In its ‘2017 Report on Religious Freedom and Religious Minorities in Indonesia’, the Setara Institute . . . Read More

Indonesian archbishop calls for ‘national unity’

January 10, 2018 Indonesia Ahok, Indonesia, Islamic extremism, Jakarta

Mass protests during Ahok's trial where Islamic hardliners called for his imprisonment. (Photo: World Watch Monitor)

In his New Year’s message the Archbishop of Jakarta has called for “national unity” in Indonesia after a year that saw religious and political divisions deepen. In his letter, Bishop Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo urged Catholics “to deepen [their] understanding of the state philosophy – national unity – as embodied in . . . Read More

Indonesian Christians oppose new Jakarta Governor’s Christmas event

December 19, 2017 Indonesia Ahok, Blasphemy, Indonesia, Jakarta

The Council of Churches in Indonesia has opposed a Christmas event organised by Jakarta’s new Islamist governor, reports Asia News. Anies Baswedan had invited Christians to the ‘Celebration of Christmas’ being held at the National Monument (Monas), a tower in central Jakarta that symbolises the country’s struggle for independence. Monas . . . Read More

Indonesia: Jakarta’s new governor urged to protect rights of religious minorities

October 27, 2017 Indonesia Ahok, Blasphemy, Indonesia, Islamic Defenders Front, Jakarta, Nahdlatul Ulama, Religious freedom, UN

New Governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan and his running mate, the new Vice Governor of Jakarta, Sandiaga Salahudin Uno arrived at Jakarta City Hal for the inauguration ceremony on 16 October 2017. (Photo: Getty Images)

As Jakarta’s new governor, Anies Baswedan, starts his new job, he should use his role “to protect and promote human rights in the Indonesian capital”, writes Human Rights Watch in a letter addressed to him. The rights group urges him to ”use the powers at your disposal to defend the . . . Read More

International Youth Day: Young Christians want to build peace

August 11, 2017 Global News -- No Particular Country Aleppo, Arauca, Asia-Pacific, Bangui, Blasphemy, Central African Republic, Colombia, Damascus, ELN, FARC, Indonesia, Iran, Jakarta, Java, Syria, UN, Venezuela, Yogyakarta, Youth

After years of war Colombia's young men and women want peace. (Photo: Open Doors International)

Ahead of the UN’s International Youth Day on 12 August, which this year has “Youth Building Peace” as its theme, World Watch Monitor takes a look at some of the challenges facing young Christians around the world and how they try to contribute to building peaceful societies. Many of the world’s . . . Read More

Indonesia: religious minorities ‘fearful’ of growing intolerance, says report

August 1, 2017 Indonesia Ahok, Bandung, Indonesia, Jakarta, Java, Yogyakarta

The sentencing of Jakarta's Christian Governor to prison on blasphemy charges, focuses the spotlight again on Indonesia's controversial Blasphemy Law.

A new report into religious freedom in Indonesia finds religious minorities are fearful that their country’s reputation as a “tolerant Muslim-majority nation” is being undermined by radical Islam’s growing influence on politics and society. The report by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) highlights the case of Jakarta’s Christian former governor, Basuki . . . Read More

Indonesia’s social and political fabric stretched as bombs hit Jakarta

May 25, 2017 Indonesia Ahok, Bekasi, Blasphemy, Hizb ut-Tahrir, Indonesia, Indonesian Ulema Council, Jakarta, Java, Santa Clara

Churches in Jakarta are on high alert after Indonesia’s capital was the target yesterday (24 May) for two suicide bombers. The attacks killed three policemen based at a bus terminal ahead of policing for a pre-Ramadan parade. Yohanes Bao Keraf, head of security at St Joseph’s church, which is a . . . Read More

Jakarta’s governor, Ahok, jailed for 2 years for blasphemy

May 9, 2017 Indonesia Ahok, Blasphemy, Jakarta, Joko Widodo

Jakarta's governor arrives in court for his verdict and sentence in his blasphemy trial. Photo: Getty Images

In a verdict that surprised many, an Indonesian court has sentenced Jakarta’s outgoing governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as ‘Ahok’, to two years in prison for blasphemy. The sentence is higher than the prosecutors had asked for. The news was welcomed by Islamic hardliners who had gathered outside of the . . . Read More

Indonesia: Ahok’s blasphemy charges reduced after failed re-election bid

April 21, 2017 Indonesia Ahok, Blasphemy, Islamic extremism, Jakarta

Jakarta’s governor, “Ahok”, who has been on trial for alleged blasphemy, heard that he can expect a lighter sentence the day after he loses a bid for re-election.

A day after failing in his bid for re-election as Jakarta’s governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as “Ahok”, heard that he should at least avoid prison over alleged blasphemy charges. Prosecutors have downgraded the blasphemy charges against him and recommend that, if he is found guilty, Ahok will serve . . . Read More

Indonesia’s Christian governor Ahok fails in re-election bid, as ‘blasphemy’ trial continues

April 19, 2017 Indonesia Ahok, Blasphemy, Islamic extremism, Jakarta

Preliminary results suggest that Jakarta’s Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (better known as “Ahok”), has failed in his re-election bid, as his trial for “blasphemy” goes on. Ahok is accused of insulting a Qur’anic verse during a campaign speech. Hard-line Islamist groups have rallied large crowds against him in recent . . . Read More

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