This likely has to do with the fact that Islamic law forbids the construction of new churches. Christians are “forbidden to ring church bells or display crosses, recite the Torah or Evangel aloud, or make public display of their funerals and feastdays, and are forbidden to build new churches” – Reliance of the Traveller o.11.5 (6,7)
In the Islamic scheme of things, the Islamic community must always grow, and the non-Muslim community always diminish.
“Authorities in Indonesia Refuse to Back Church Construction,” Morning Star News, March 31, 2025:
SURABAYA, Indonesia (Morning Star News) – Local officials in East Borneo Province, Indonesia refused to approve construction of a church building even though the congregation had met all requirements for a permit, sources said.
In Samarinda, capital of East Borneo Province, the Samarinda Ministry of Religious Affairs Office refused to provide a letter of recommendation for Toraja Christian Church in Sungai Keledang, Samarinda Seberang Sub-District, even though the church completed all administrative requirements for a license permit, according to the Indonesian Movement for All (Pergerakan Indonesia untuk Semua, PIS). The church has sought the permit for 10 years.
“Oh my God…How can people worship when we make it difficult?” PIS stated on its website. “What other reason does the Ministry of Religious Affairs office have for refusing to provide a letter of recommendation? Sounds cowardly, isn’t it? This injustice should not be tolerated.”
The congregation has spent 10 years on the application, obtaining names and ID cards of 90 people approved by local officials, approval of 60 local people and village heads and last Septembert winning recommendations of the local Interfaith Forum, according to PIS.
Hendra Kusuma, chairman of the East Kalimantan Alliance for Advocacy for Freedom of Religion and Belief, accused the government of fearing Muslim groups that are religiously intolerant rather than enforcing rules, PIS stated.
“They are more afraid of a handful of people who reject the church’s existence, even though the state guarantees freedom of religion and worship,” Hendra told kaltimtoday.com….
Tony Rice says
For every church denied construction or repair, do same for a mosque in Christendom. Practice soon stop.
James Lincoln says
Kinda like reciprocal tariffs, Tony.
rick says
Islamic leaders know that Islam is an inferior religion. They know that if other religions, especially Christianity, were allowed to exist and function, Islam would be a doomed religion and effectively disappear in 50 years or less. Islam already rejects 50% of its population and that would be its female ppoulation. Less rights, beatings by their husbands is allowed and sometimes demanded by the Koran. Cannot own property or inherit property. Cannot leave the house without a family male escort. Can have no non family male acquaintances. Life in a Muslim country is like being spied upon by the police. A Gestapo mentality for women and for any male who publicly holds non approved views like Israel is a nice country or the West is better than our Muslim countries. Islam must therefore protect itself, insulate itself from the outside. It is inferior and cannot compete so it must hide. And not allow its own people to speak freely.
abu taleb says
And, if the Christians are gathering for worship in a certain building, the muslims will attack because the building has no permit as a worshipping place.
On the opposite side, thousands (or millions) of mosques and mushollas in Indonesia not only have no permit but also are built against the law.
Beneath the Veil of Consciousness says
BOYCOTT ALL MUSLIM COUNTRIES. THEY ARE CESSPOOLS OF HATRED.
Beneath the Veil of Consciousness says
BOYCOTT ALL MUSLIM COUNTRIES. THEY ARE CESSPOOLS OF HATRED.