02/09/2012 Indonesia (Jakarta Globe) - Radical groups added pressure on the congregation of GKI Yasmin church in Bogor as they shouted and chased its members during a Sunday service near the contested religious building.
Members of the Islamic Reform Movement (Garis) shouted at church-goers who were approaching their facility, prompting police officers to come and control the mob.
“We are not afraid of the officers. If the Yasmin congregation is not dismissed, we will deploy a bigger group,” said Garis coordinator Majudien.
Al Khaththath, head of the Bogor branch of the Islamic People’s Forum (FUI), said the absence of a firm stance from the government to settle the issue could set a time bomb for a bigger clash.
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Yasmin spokesman Bona Sigalingging said the pressure on the congregation was intense every Sunday, when the congregation was forced to hold its service on the sidewalk.
Two weeks ago, the Christmas service was held at a member’s home and last week, the Garis coordinator used a bumper sticker on a church member’s car that read “We need a friendly Islam, not an angry Islam” as an excuse to threaten the congregation.
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