On July 27, a violent mob of Muslim men stormed a prayer house belonging to the Indonesian Faithful Christian Church (GKSI) in Padang Sarai Village, disrupting a worship service and religious education session. Shouting commands like “Disperse! Disperse!” the attackers broke into the building, smashed windows with sticks, and caused chaos as children cried and families fled for safety. The violent outburst left two children injured and the facility severely damaged—furniture, electronics, and other property were destroyed, and the electricity was intentionally cut. Police have since arrested nine individuals in connection with the attack.

The prayer house had been established to provide Christian education to children attending public schools, where such instruction is lacking. At the time of the attack, around 30 children and their parents were gathered for worship and learning. This incident follows a similar attack in Sukabumi just a month earlier, raising concerns about increasing hostility toward minority religious groups in Indonesia. Despite constitutional and international protections guaranteeing freedom of religion, critics argue that the government has failed to uphold these rights, leaving vulnerable communities at risk of repeated persecution.

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SOURCE: ICC