The controversy over the construction of a Protestant church denied a permit by mayor continues, despite the Supreme Court ruling. Both parties seek support from different Muslim organizations.
Bogor – The controversy over Yasmin Church has entered a new phase, both parties are now looking more powerful protection, and the involvement of religious institutions in Indonesia, to get the support needed to win this battle without end on the freedom of practice faith in the country. Yesterday, the Mayor of Bogor (West Java), Diani Budiarto, who denied the church’s construction permit against a court ruling, visited the center of the powerful Islamic religious body known as Mui, for guidance and advice. The local newspapers report that it was the Mui to convoke Budiarto to its headquarters in Jakarta, which the Indonesian public has read as an attempt to win the powerful support of the most influential body with regard to moral issues and Islamic teaching.
The continued blockade of the GKI Yasmin church in Bogor Indonesia by the local administration and hard-liners has drawn the ire of the World Council of Churches, which warned of rising intolerance in the country against minority groups.
The president of the WCC and a former head of the Protestant Christian Batak Church (HKBP) Indonesia, attempted to visit the site on Sunday but was prevented from doing so by public order officers (Satpol PP) and a mob of 500 hard-liners.