200 Muslims Storm Christian Youth Retreat and Damage Property in Indonesia
SURABAYA, Indonesia — On Friday, around 200 Muslims disrupted a Christian youth retreat at a private residence in Tangkil village, Sukabumi of the Cidahu District in West Java. Eyewitnesses reported that police and soldiers observed as the group forced participants off the premises and caused extensive damage to the property.
The demonstrators, bearing banners and chanting phrases that called for the destruction of the house, launched the attack shortly after Friday prayers. They smashed windows, damaged toilets, a gazebo, and the garden, and even hurled a motorbike into a nearby river, in protest of the residence being used for religious gatherings.
Video footage circulating online reveals a man scaling a wall to remove a wooden cross, which he then used to shatter a window. Other clips display individuals using chairs and various tools to damage property, including a car parked on the premises.
Authorities eventually evacuated 36 participants along with three vehicles to a safer location amid the escalating situation. One video shows frightened youths scrambling into a car as the mob demanded that they leave the retreat area.
Locals involved in the protest maintained that their actions were not driven by hatred but by a concern over unauthorized use of a residence for worship in an area that is entirely Muslim. One community member explained that secret worship by outsiders unsettles the peace in a neighborhood that has its own official places of worship.
This disturbance followed a morning visit at 10:30 a.m. by local officials and members of the Indonesian Ulama Council to the home. After meeting with a member of the homeowner’s family, a dispute reportedly ensued that quickly escalated into the later outburst. The head of the National Unity and Politics Agency for Sukabumi Regency described the incident as an impulsive reaction to the unauthorized religious activities taking place in a private residence.
According to a rights activist familiar with Indonesian policies, only church buildings require construction permits, while holding services at private homes, shop-houses, or cafés does not. He pointed out that if traditional Muslim prayer rooms are exempt from such permits, then similar treatment should be extended to Christian worship gatherings.
Local officials noted that the home had hosted worship services on three separate occasions and that large numbers of vehicles, including a bus ferrying people from other regions, had been seen at the property. Despite previous warnings and attempts to halt these gatherings, residents felt that the persistence of these activities was an infringement on their right to a peaceful environment.
The village head confirmed that while discussions with both the homeowner and residents have been ongoing, the home continues to be used for worship, which, according to local regulations, is not permitted without following proper procedures. He stressed that a house is legally classified as a residence and not a venue for religious services, and that any transformation of its use requires adherence to official protocols.
Authorities announced that an agreement had been reached in which the Christian group would forego legal action against the attackers in favor of resolving the matter through further discussion. They also assured that repairs to the damaged house would be undertaken, emphasizing that the property in question is not an official place of worship.
Concerns Over Religious Intolerance
A religious freedom advocate has characterized the incident as driven by intolerance and a bias against Christians. He argued that the authorities have consistently overlooked actions that undermine the rights of Christian communities, noting that such incidents reflect a broader trend of adhering to strict interpretations of worship practices in the region.
Over the years, some Islamic extremist factions have exploited the issue of building permits as an excuse to restrict or target church establishments, a challenge that has been compounded by stringent regulations imposed since the mid-2000s. In a society that has increasingly embraced a conservative Islamic identity, evangelical churches are increasingly vulnerable to such pressures.
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