Islamic pressures in Aceh, which is in Northern Sumatra, are becoming intolerable. Within a year, seventeen house churches have been closed, including two Catholic chapels. Threats against Protestant congregations have also been made. Favor Bancin, part of the Indonesian Synod, said, “The behavior of local authorities is a potential threat to the tolerant atmosphere we see deteriorating over time.” The current governor of Aceh, Zaini Abdullah, is behind this upsurge of churches being closed. He is in exile in Sweden because of his involvement in the Free Aceh Movement. During Abdullah’s campaign, he stated “he would not hesitate to apply the Koranic laws in the province.” His words are quickly becoming reality.
Pray for the church in Aceh to grow exponentially because of this persecution. Ask that this persecution would make the Christians bolder instead of afraid.
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