Mob Destroys Church in South Sulawesi
15 October 2002 A mob has destroyed a church in the predominantly Muslim city of Makassar in South Sulawesi. The mob took the law into its own hands after it was reported that the church had been built without the necessary permits. The building of churches requires a permit from the city authorities who consult the local population. Churches cannot be built in predominantly Muslim areas. Some participants in the destruction claimed that the church had been warned to vacate or demolish the premises but had failed to do so. Although the local police chief has criticised people for taking the law into their own hands, no action was taken by the authorities to prevent the destruction while official investigations into the existence of a building permit were still ongoing. The horrific car bomb attack in Bali has demonstrated to the world, in a most chilling and shocking way, the influence of Al-Qaeda on extremist Islamic groups in Indonesia. Evidence is emerging that also links Al-Qaeda with attacks on Christian targets. An Islamic extremist arrested in connection with the series of bombings of churches in Indonesia at Christmas 2000, is reported to be an Al-Qaeda operative. Omar al-Faruq was arrested by Indonesian police in June 2002 and handed over to the US authorities. Secret US documents are said to indicate that al-Faruq was a senior Al-Qaeda representative in Southeast Asia with responsibility for planning and coordinating attacks against American targets in the region. He has also been linked to attempts to assassinate Indonesian President Megawati. Although al-Faruq’s origins and movements are shrouded in mystery, there is some evidence that he was involved in training and leading Islamic extremist groups during the anti-Christian violence in the Malukus in 2000 and 2001, in which an estimated 15,000 Christians were killed. Pray Pray that the church in Makassar will be allowed to have a building in which to meet to worship the Lord. Pray that the authorities in Indonesia will protect Christians from mob violence and that permission will be given to build churches where they are needed. Pray that Indonesian Christians will be protected from Islamic extremists who often associate them with the West and see them as legitimate targets for violence. BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE The Barnabas Fund’s e-mail news service provides our supporters with short urgent news briefs and prayer requests for suffering Christians around the world. Please do share these news items with your Christian friends and churches. All news items are available on our website in a more colourful user-friendly presentation format which you can access, print and pass on. If you are not already receiving these news briefs directly from the Barnabas Fund and would like to, please contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses, and details of the church you attend. The Barnabas Fund, The Old Rectory, River Street, PEWSEY, Wiltshire, SN9 5DB, UK, Tel 01672 564938, Fax 01672 565030, E-mail info@barnabasfund.org Web www.barnabasfund.org