A Christian congregation within the West Kalimantan Province of Indonesia were told by their Muslim neighbours that they might not be permitted to construct a church.
The Christians within the village of Kapur discovered that other residents within the village had written to the village leader, saying that the development of a church would threaten the peace and harmony of the community.
Despite the apparent setback, the church community stays hopeful that Indonesian authorities will take motion to guard religious freedom.
Stephanus Paiman, chair of the Pontianak Humanitarian Volunteer Forum (FRKP), urged locals to be patient and to let the wheels of presidency turn.
According to International Christian Concern, he said, “Let’s entrust this matter to the Kubu Raya Regency Government, because the Regency Government has undoubtedly already established policies to make sure everyone stays secure and peaceful.
“Let’s trust the federal government, which stays committed to promoting tolerance.”
The letter rejecting the development of a church was written on 8 July. Just two weeks prior to that, the Deputy Governor of West Kalimantan, Krisantus Kurniawan, said that the local administration’s aim was to make their province essentially the most tolerant in all of Indonesia.
He said, “A way of security and tolerance are fundamental … We won’t tolerate any social organisations that disrupt West Kalimantan.”
Another sign of official support for the reason for religious freedom got here in the shape of the Regent of Kubu Raya, Sujiwo, S.E., M.Sos, who denounced the letter and said it contravened Indonesia’s structure, which guarantees religious freedom.
He said that motion could be taken against those attempting to impress sectarian tensions and that the letter could be investigated.
In May an identical incident occurred when locals within the village of Sungai Keledang, Samarinda Seberang district in East Kalimantan, hung banners protesting efforts by a church to realize a licence and said that they rejected the establishment of a church within the village.
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