Police in West Java province, Indonesia, detained seven Muslims accused of taking part in disrupting a Christian student retreat and vandalizing the premises.
The group of suspects were arrested on June 30.
They are alleged to have been prominent among a larger mob that broke up a retreat for 36 Christian students in Kampung Tangki, Sukabumi regency, three days earlier.
West Java Police Chief Inspector, General Rudi Setiawan, said that the mob had caused extensive damage, including vandalizing a cross.
He estimated the cost of the damage at 50,000,000 Indonesian rupiah ($3,060).
“The National Police will protect all citizens from anywhere, of whatever religion,” he added.
Another police spokesman said that local extremist Muslims attacked the house, believing it was unlawfully used as a Christian place of worship.
“The retreat, which should be a means of contemplative reflection, has instead become counterproductive because of this incident,” commented Alan Christian Singkali, secretary general of the Indonesian Christian Youth Movement (GAMKI), which organized the retreat.
“What has happened is psychological trauma due to persecution.”
West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi labeled the actions of the suspects as “serious crimes” and called on the public to respect one another’s differences.
“Let us protect this country with a spirit of tolerance,” he said, “respecting religious freedom in every aspect of our lives.”
In recent years the government of Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, has sought to combat Islamist extremism and promote religious tolerance.
How you can pray
Pray that justice will be served and lawful assembly of Christians will not be disrupted. Pray for peaceful relations to be maintained between all groups in Indonesia, and for the protection of Christians, especially in areas where extremists are active.
