Indonesia
Governor convicted of blasphemy freed from Indonesian prison
By Niniek Karmini — January 24, 2019
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A polarizing Christian politician whose campaign comments ignited the largest protests in years in Muslim-majority Indonesia was freed Thursday after serving nearly two years in prison for blasphemy.
Pro-Uighur protests in Indonesia shadowed by ominous domestic politics
By Nithin Coca — January 11, 2019
JAKARTA, Indonesia (RNS) — With Indonesia just months away from national elections, many believe recent rallies were focused more on domestic politics than on genuine support for the Uighurs.
Blasphemy law is repealed in Ireland but remains a problem for Christian and Muslims
By Steve Pinkerton — November 8, 2018
(The Conversation) — In an increasingly pluralist, multicultural West, blasphemy laws find fresh purpose in policing intolerance between religious communities.
The mosques that survived Palu’s tsunami and what they mean
By Jennifer Nourse — October 16, 2018
(The Conversation) — The survival of two historic mosques after the Indonesian tsunami has started a discussion about the very nature of Islam.
Muslims pray for strength in quake-hit Indonesian city
By The Associated Press — October 5, 2018
PALU, Indonesia (AP) — The national disaster agency said the confirmed death toll from last Friday's magnitude 7.5 earthquake increased slightly to 1,571.
Indonesian president invokes ‘Pancasila’ to counter rising Islamism
By Nithin Coca — August 30, 2018
(RNS) — Pancasila, a set of founding principles including 'belief in the the One and Only God,' has historically demanded respect for the country's six formally recognized faiths.
Indonesia passes anti-terrorism law after suicide attacks on churches
By Nithin Coca — July 24, 2018
JAKARTA, Indonesia (RNS) — The new law has bolstered support for President Joko Widodo, a moderate Muslim, but some groups say it gives too much power to the state.
Family carries out suicide attacks on Indonesia churches
By Yonat Shimron — May 13, 2018
SURABAYA, Indonesia (AP) — At least seven people plus the six family members, who included girls aged 9 and 12, died in the attacks Sunday (May 13) in Surabaya.
Animist war game ritual lives on on Indonesian Christian island
By Alexandra Radu — March 20, 2018
PULAU SUMBA, Indonesia (RNS) — On the island of Sumba, in central Indonesia, a ritual war game known as Pasola is celebrated annually between villages, and it draws large crowds of all ages.
Streets deserted, airport closes for Bali’s Day of Silence
By Jerome Socolovsky — March 17, 2018
BALI, Indonesia (AP) — Aside from no Facebook, Instagram or instant messaging apps, television and radio broadcasts cease and Balinese stay indoors, covering the windows and not even turning on a light, for the day of reflection that is the most sacred in Balinese Hinduism.
Judge temporarily halts deportation of Indonesian Christians
By Jerome Socolovsky — February 3, 2018
HIGHLAND PARK, N.J. (AP) — The order affects roughly 50 people from a community in New Jersey that includes many who left Indonesia years ago to escape religious persecution.
Judge grants Christian Indonesians time to fight deportation
By Jerome Socolovsky — February 2, 2018
BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge says 50 Indonesians living illegally in New Hampshire must be given time to reopen their immigration cases and argue that the conditions in their home country have changed.
Fearing deportation, a third Indonesian Christian seeks sanctuary in a NJ church
By Chris Sagona — January 29, 2018
(RNS) — Harry Pangemanan joins two other Indonesian Christians now living in the Reformed Church of Highland Park, about 35 miles south of New York City.
Top Indonesia court overturns discriminatory religious law
By Jerome Socolovsky — November 8, 2017
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia has for decades recognized only Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism as religions, but millions practice animism and other local faiths.
Obama urges end to division in childhood home Indonesia
By Fransiska Nangoy — July 2, 2017
JAKARTA, Indonesia (Reuters) Former U.S. President Obama urged Indonesians to resist divisive politics based on race and religion, saying the world's most populous Muslim nation has a long history of tolerance that should be preserved.
