Indonesia (MNN)–Indonesia’s government is warning of the possibility of more terrorist attacks like the ones that took place in Bali over the weekend.
Investigators believe two fugitives linked to al-Qaida actually masterminded the suicide bombings. Their attack on crowded restaurants in the tourist areas of Bali killed at least 26 people and injured more than 100 over the weekend.
Because a fanatical Islamic group is involved, there were also questions of whether or not violence would target Christians throughout the region.
Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton says, “It’s hard to say if these bombings will have a direct effect on the church other than just creating a spirit of fear, of ‘look what we can do to our enemies.'”
When asked if that would affect believers, somehow, he added, “Christians would definitely fall under the ‘enemies list’ of a radical Islamic group in that country.”
Nettleton says there have been some very troubling things that have happened to believers in Indonesia recently. “We have the three ladies that have recently been convicted for running a Christian school program that then Muslim children were allowed to be a part of.”
Other incidents, he explains have been unsettling…but as of yet, there is not really an emergent pattern. “There have been several churches closed in recent weeks, on the island of Java. There’s just a lot of things going on that are a big concern.”
Starting in mid-2005, a campaign was begun by militant groups in West Java to force the closure of churches in the area.
Dozens of churches have been forced to close while the authorities have done little to protect the Christians. Pray that Christians in Indonesia will have the freedom to share their faith without fear of intimidation.
Also, remember that there is a group pushing for a stricter Islamic state. Pray they will fail and that Indonesia will truly be free for those of all religions.
