Indonesia Muslim Villagers Ban Christmas Choir Practice
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
MAKASSAR, INDONESIA (Worthy News) – A Christian choir in Indonesia’s South Sulawesi province pondered Monday how to perform this Christmas after local Muslims objected to their rehearsal.
Last week’s incident in Caile village in the Ujungbulu District of the province’s Bulukumba Regency area underscored anti-Christian sentiments in several regions in the world’s largest Muslim nation.
In video footage reviewed by Worthy News, neighborhood association head Andi Arman halted choir members outside the building where the practice was to occur. “I just want to make sure there is no [worship] gathering here,” he said.
There had been mounting tensions ahead of the December 1 practice in the mainly Muslim Matajang neighborhood in Caile, according to Christians familiar with the situation.
Members of the choir linked to the Catholic St. Yoseph Station Church said the “multipurpose building” where they were rehearsing was built for church worship “but was never used” because of opposition from the local Muslims.
Andi Arman, also known as Aplas, told Christians that residents “asked” him to come because they thought there was a worship activity. “It turned out to be a song practice for Christmas.”
However, he said Muslim residents and the church had a prior agreement prohibiting the Catholics from worshipping at the site and that he was trying to protect them from mob violence.
‘PROTECTING FRIENDS’
“I came to protect my Catholic friends,” he told Indonesian media. “By having permission, I can ensure that other parties would not disturb their activities.”
Although church officials later tried to play down the standoff shared on social media, local Christians remained concerned that they could not prepare for a Christmas performance.
Local Muslim leader Ustaz Andi Satria reportedly condemned the incident.
“Singing practice for Christmas celebrations must be protected, not intimidated,” Andi Satria said. “Islam teaches tolerance as a blessing for all humans, not just for the Muslims.”
Yet, advocacy group Open Doors has doubts that the situation will improve soon. “The situation for Christians has been deteriorating in recent years, with Indonesian society increasingly influenced by conservative interpretations of Islam,” it said in a recent assessment.
The group ranks Indonesia 42nd on its annual World Watch List of 50 countries where it says Christians face the most persecution.
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