Intolerance in Indonesia – When Oppression’s No Longer News!

Up early today, as somebody wants to meet me for lunch in town, and traffic here means a long journey is entirely possible.

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I had another mostly sunny Sunday in Jakarta the other day, spent at home as I had a visitor. But today, my thoughts turn to next weekend, a holiday weekend, of course.

I’ve been checking out ‘news search’ sites to see if the persecuted Christians here are holding their Good Friday or Easter Sunday services across the street from President Jokowi’s Palace in downtown Jakarta.

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• The Protestant Yasmin and Filadelfia congregations, their rights unprotected by the authorities, and brutally maltreated by Islamist mobs…

X-Rated Xmas – Foul-Mouths Bully Christians, As ‘Moderate’Mayor Denies They Exist!’ 

Head-Scarfed Harpies Hurl Dung and Urine at Christians 

… have been doing just that, every second Sunday, for some years now. Despite court rulings, they are still denied access to their own churches in West Java.

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• When Jokowi was elected, many people, including myself, believed he’d meant what he said about religious tolerance.

But he’s not restored these people’s rights.

Java Heat – Oppressed Christians Worship In Jakarta Sun – Jokowi No Show! 

They are nice people.

I’ve gone along every so often as part of my sunny Sunday walkabouts, just to show a little solidarity. They exemplify what used to be the hall-mark of this multi-faith country.

It’s not just various Christian denominations who show up, but also oppressed Muslim minorities, like the Shia .Scholars’ Escalate Java Jihad – Another Creed Outlawed? and Ahmadiyah Victim of Islamist Murder Mob Gets Six Months in the Slammer 

When Ramadhan ends, I’ve seen the Christians there hoisting banners, with greetings to the Muslim majority in the archipelago.

But regular readers know all this.

I try to focus on their plight frequently, because the media here do not. Sure, if some particularly vile outburst occurs, but not frequently enough!

If I were an Indonesian editor, I’d be so consumed with shame at what’s being done in my name to these decent, innocent folk…

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• …that I’d despatch a reporter downtown every other Sunday, to record the continuing crime committed against the values the President proclaims.

I’ll keep checking the news, as another Easter approaches.