|
5th April 2009 |
||
|
Pray for Indonesia
The Republic’s 17,000 islands (4,000 inhabited) stretch 6,400 km of land over 9.5 million sq km of the Indian/Pacific Oceans. 240 million people live in Indonesia which means 125 people per sq km. Australia has 3 people per sq km. The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th century; Japan occupied the islands from 1942 to 1945. Indonesia declared its independence after Japan's surrender.
|
 |
|
 |
The Islam growth in Indonesia is eroding the long-prevailing communal tolerance and religious freedom. The former regime began to actively promote this process during the 1990s. Muslims were favoured in appointments in government, military and academic institutions. A massive mosque-building programme, together with transmigration of Muslims to Christian-majority areas was undertaken. Christians have become marginalized, increasingly persecuted and restricted in church meetings and evangelism. The Islamists’ stated aim is the complete elimination of Christianity in the country. There has been an orchestrated Islamic jihad against Christians — with over 600 churches destroyed by mobs. Some Christian-majority areas, such as East Timor and Ambon, have been subjected to outright military attacks and killings. 80% of the population are Muslim, 16% are Christian. Pray for the welfare of the believers in this country.
|
|