Several members of a church congregation in Jambi city burst into tears
upon seeing their house of worship sealed by Public Order Agency personnel.
upon seeing their house of worship sealed by Public Order Agency personnel.
“We have been worshiping here for 18 years.
Suddenly [the church] is closed.
We are shocked,.
Suddenly [the church] is closed.
We are shocked,.
The church leaders have applied for a permit from the city administration for years
but had never been granted one.
but had never been granted one.
Up until now there has been no conflict with followers of other religions around the location of the church,
and congregation members were often involved in communal activities.
and congregation members were often involved in communal activities.
the sealing has been conducted because of local residents’ rejection of churches without permits.
“Based on negotiations between the administration and residents,
it was agreed to seal the church,” without divulging details on the parties involved.
it was agreed to seal the church,” without divulging details on the parties involved.
The administration had reportedly planned to seal three churches in the area
but postponed the move on two of them amid opposition from their congregation members.
but postponed the move on two of them amid opposition from their congregation members.
Before the sealing of the Methodist church, a letter widely circulated in Jambi stated that
some 1,000 residents would gather at a nearby mosque to demonstrate against the three churches.
some 1,000 residents would gather at a nearby mosque to demonstrate against the three churches.
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