Aceh Singkil Christian Churches to Close Down after Pressure from Hardline Indonesian Muslims
Aceh Singkil's authorities will close down several Christian churches this week in the wake of the burning of some churches by hardline Indonesian Muslims.
The church torching in the province of Aceh Singkil, Indonesia left one dead and several others hurt. Tension between religious groups in the conservative province has been simmering recently and is in danger of turning into another violent act, according to Reuters.
Most of the Muslims in Indonesia practice a moderate form of their religion, but Aceh strictly follows the Islamic Sharia law. The recent torching of Christian churches allegedly stemmed from the issue of the establishments not having official building permits, the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) reports.
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"Ten churches have been identified as not having proper permits and should be closed," SMH quotes Islamic Defenders Front local chapter head Hambali Sinaga's statement. "We hope there will be no violence again tomorrow."
Sinaga also said they are giving the local government until Oct. 19 to act on their demands, the report adds.
After a consultation with Christian organizations in Aceh, six churches announced that they will dismantle their buildings because they have no building permits. The Islamic Defenders Front and other Muslim residents in the province have demanded that the government shutter 10 churches that were built without permits, the report details.
Just last week, hundreds of hardline Muslims stormed a small church in the conservative district and burned it down. Thousands of Christians fled to nearby villages and the incident ended with one of the members of the mob killed. Authorities have arrested 10 individuals in connection with the violent incident.
After the torching, around 1,300 cops and army personnel were deployed to Aceh Singkil to guard the area. And on Sunday, Christian members resumed their service next to the burnt church on Sunday and the evacuees have already returned home. An Aceh police spokesperson said the situation in the province is already "calm," but they are prepared to take action should another untoward incident occur.
