Indonesia: President reaffirms freedom of religion and worship in his country
For Joko Widodo, Indonesian President, “those who are Christians, Catholics, Hindus and Confucians have the same rights in matters of worship, freedom of religion and worship”.
In Indonesia, President Joko Widodo spoke on freedom of religion and worship at the national coordination meeting of the country's regional leaders.
“Those who are Christians, Catholics, Hindus and Confucians have the same rights in matters of worship, freedom of religion and worship,” he said.
Joko Widodo recalled that these freedoms were guaranteed by article 29 paragraph 2 of the 1945 Constitution.
However, on January 8, a church saw itself prohibited from worshiping, in the province of North Sumatra. While they could no longer meet for worship in their usual building, in a shopping center, the Suzuya Mall, the Christians wanted to meet in a building near the city hall of Medan.
But Medan's chief public order enforcer, Rakhmat Harahap, told them they were forbidden to meet there, since the building was not earmarked for religious service.
For the Reverend Eben Siagian, this ban is unreasonable.
“How long will it be before incidents like this end in our country? What are their objections and losses if there is a Christian place of worship in Suzuya? »
MC
