Sunday School teachers get 3 years prison

Imprisoned Christian women interviewed by media (photo: Jubilee Campaign)

In an Indonesian court under threat of violence from Islamic radicals, three women were found guilty yesterday of violating the country's Child Protection Act by "Christianizing" Muslims.

Rebecca Laonita, Ratna Mala Bangun, and Ety Pangesti – who conducted a "Happy Week" program in their homes – were sentenced to three years in prison.

Indonesia's Child Protection Act of 2002 prohibits the enticement of minors to convert to another religion.

The three women had operated the Sunday School program out of one of their homes until it was closed by a local branch of the Muslim Clerics Council in May, according to the British-based human-rights group Jubilee Campaign.

Three Christian women on trial in Indonesia (photo: Jubilee Campaign)

The women began accepting Muslim children only after receiving permission from the children's parents or guardians, the British group said.

But the Muslim Clerics Council, claiming the women had no such permission, pressured the police to arrest them in mid-May.

The women remained in jail for the duration of their trial.

At the trial, radical Muslim activists staged vociferous protests, conducting prayers both outside and within the courtroom and loudly demanded that the defendants be convicted.

An observer who had attended most of the court sessions said yesterday was no different.

"[The protestors] arrived in nine trucks and brought a coffin to bury the accused if they were not found guilty. Their violent threats continued in their speeches before the session began. When the panel of judges read the verdict … the crowd erupted with 'Allahu akbar' or 'Allah is greatest.'"

The three women, described by friends as "ordinary housewives," were relieved that they had not been given the maximum five-year prison sentence, reported the Compass Direct news service, which specializes in stories about persecution of Christians.

All three, however, were devastated at the prospect of being separated from their children, who range from 6 to 19 years of age, Compass said.

Judges at Indonesia trial (photo: Jubilee Campaign)

Paul Marshall, a senior fellow at Freedom House's Center for Religious Freedom in Washington, D.C., told Compass Direct the case could establish a dangerous precedent.

"It's especially troubling and worrisome since it occurred in Indonesia, a country long known for its relative religious freedom," Marshall said. "If it signifies the future direction of the country, the consequences will be terrible."

Defense attorneys argued that several of the Muslim parents had been photographed with their children during the Sunday school activities, Compass reported, demonstrating parental approval.

But when Muslim leaders complained, the parents refused to testify in support of the women.

The "Happy Sunday" program was established in September 2003 to meet legal requirements for a local elementary school.

Zakaria, who pastors the Christian Church of David's Camp in Harguelis, West Java, was approached by the school in August 2003 and asked to provide a Christian education program for Christian students that complied with the National Education System Bill that came into effect that year.

Compass Direct said that since the first accusations were made, Muslim authorities in West Java have forced Zakaria's church to close.

Over the past year, Muslim leaders have forced at least 60 unlicensed churches in West Java to shut down.

A controversial 1969 ministerial decree required all houses of worship to obtain a permit from local authorities in the Muslim-dominated state.

Police Chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani told the Jakarta Post in a story published Wednesday that police would protect licensed churches from forcible closure but would uphold the decree.

A Post editorial said the forced closure of churches had reached an alarming level, and the government seemed to have no political will to uphold freedom of religion as guaranteed in the constitution.

The writer concluded, "It is time now to stop pretending that Indonesia is a perfect model for religious tolerance ... the people of this nation are less tolerant now toward differences in religion."

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