Indonesian officials have expressed regret following the release of a video showing a disturbance involving a church service in Tangerang Regency.
The video, which surfaced on July 21, captures a group of men halting a worship service at Thessalonica Church in Banten Province, citing the church’s location in a predominantly Muslim area as the reason for their actions.
According to a report by Morning Star News, the disturbance occurred in March when a mob, predominantly dressed in traditional Indonesian Muslim attire, stormed the church’s rented venue in Puri, Kampung Melayu Timur Housing, Teluk Naga Subdistrict.
The group, chanting slogans such as “Allahu Akbar” (God is greater), interrupted the service, ridiculing the congregation for holding worship on a residential property. The lease for their previous site had expired, leading to their use of the rented house for worship.
Soma Atmaja of the Tangerang Regency government addressed the issue, confirming that a temporary location for Thessalonica Church’s services has been provided.
The church’s previous site was reportedly used without the necessary building permit, which prompted the intervention by the mob. Atmaja assured that the government is taking steps to resolve the situation and support the church’s needs.
Teluk Naga Police Chief Wahyu Hidayat expressed confusion over why the video emerged only recently, clarifying that the incident occurred three months ago and had been resolved peacefully.
The incident has brought attention to Indonesia’s regulatory environment for religious worship. The Joint Ministerial Decree of 2006 mandates permits only for permanent worship venues, excluding family worship spaces.
Rights activists argue that this regulation has been exploited to target churches, making it nearly impossible for new religious buildings to obtain necessary approvals.
Permadi Arya, a rights activist, noted that homes, cafés, and shop-houses used for worship should not require a permit, paralleling the treatment of Muslim prayer rooms.
He criticized the regulatory framework that has allowed Islamic extremists to use permit requirements as a pretext for attacks or closures of churches.
According to Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List, Indonesia ranks 42nd among the countries where it is most challenging to be a Christian.
