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| Southeast Asia |
| Indonesian Moslems Debate With Indonesian Christians About Religion |
| 2005-07-14 |
| From Compass Direct A Muslim council has accused three Indonesian women of attempting to convert Muslim children. Dr. Rebekka Zakaria, Eti Pangesti and Ratna Bangun were arrested on May 13 and taken to the Indramayu State Prison, where they await trial. Dr. Zakaria is the pastor of Gereja Kristen Kemah Daud (GKKD), or Christian Church of Davidâs Camp, located in the small town of Harguelis, Indramayu district, West Java. In 2003, a public elementary school in nearby Babakan Jati approached the church staff and asked if they would establish a Christian education program for the school. After the National Education System Bill became law in June 2003, all public schools were required to provide religious education for children of religious minorities attending their schools. .... The women of the GKKD church set up a âHappy Sundayâ program, with Christian songs, games and Bible study for the children. The program was run by Bangun and Pangesti, under the direction of their pastor, Zakaria. After running for approximately 18 months, the number of children attending the program had grown to 40 -- but only 10 were from Christian homes. The Muslim children attended the popular program with the full consent of their parents. Some of them began to sing Christian songs at school and at home, and this attracted the attention of Islamic elders who, in December 2004, forced the church to close. The women then continued to run the Happy Sunday program from Pangestiâs home. On March 26, they organized an Easter bus tour to the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, an amusement park in Jakarta. .... During the tour, one of the children asked for and received a Bible from one of the teachers. As a result, Islamic leaders approached church staff and demanded that Muslim children no longer be allowed to attend the program. .... On May 1, a local Islamic leader interviewed four of the Muslim children who had attended the Happy Sunday program and recorded their answers on video. The children were asked whether the women had ever offered them money, to which they responded, âNo.â However all the children said they had received gifts, and one told the interviewer that he had asked for and been given a Bible. On the evening of May 13, the three women were arrested and taken to the police station for questioning. They were accused of breaching the Child Protection Law, Chapter 86, No. 23/2002. If convicted, they could be sentenced for up to five years and fined 1,000,000,000 rupees ($103,600). ... H. Erik Isnaeni, an influential lawyer acting for the MUI [Majelis Ulama Indonesia] Council, refused to drop the case. He also asked that bail be refused for the women, which meant they were unable to live at home under house arrest and take care of their own children. The women were moved from police detention to the Indramayu State Prison on June 1 under the âprotectionâ of the Attorney Generalâs office, to await trial. At press time, no date had been set for the first court hearing. ... |
| Posted by:Mike Sylwester |
| #3 NT, it does. That is how the debate usually goes in countries where moose-limbs have a majority. |
| Posted by: Sobiesky 2005-07-14 21:48 |
| #2 Such a peaceful and tolerant religion Islam is isn't it? |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2005-07-14 21:47 |
| #1 Headline does not reflect content. |
| Posted by: Neutron Tom 2005-07-14 21:40 |