Open Doors
November 3, 2105
Nine churches in Aceh province, Indonesia, have been torn down. The demolitions took place from 19 to 23 October and followed an outbreak of religious violence in which a church was burned to the ground, one person lost their life, and an estimated 8,000 Christians displaced.
Under pressure from extremists, the local authorities had listed 10 unlicensed churches for closure. But Muslim extremists demanded that two other churches, which were known for their big congregations, should also be demolished. "Or else, the radicals will deploy around 7,000 people [to attack]," said Rudi* a local church activist.
The government gave in to the demand. Church members wept as they watched in despair civil police officers hammering down their worship houses. The some 1,000 churchless believers have been prohibited from raising temporary tents to hold Sunday worship service. Instead, they were advised to go to churches in other villages.
Meanwhile, another 13 churches that were not in the closure list are given six months to apply for a permit. The government also promised a worship center for those whose churches have been destroyed, but many Christians are skeptical as permits are difficult to obtain and government's promises for minorities are rarely delivered.
In the wake of the violence, thousands of Christians fled the region. According to some sources, all refugees have been repatriated by the government..
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