FJI DIY Speaks Out on Reasons for Disrupting Church Service in Bantul

The Forum Jihad Islam (FJI) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) admitted to disrupting a service at the Gereja Misi Sejahtera (GMS) in Sewon, Bantul due to public objections and permit issues. FJI stated it would never disturb licensed places of worship.

FJI DIY chairman Abdurrahman confirmed that FJI visited GMS on Sunday (24 May) around 8:00 AM WIB, following reports from residents about GMS’s inauguration ceremony.

‘The building has been there for two years since construction began. Yesterday, GMS was planning to hold an inauguration ceremony,’ he told reporters on Monday (25 May 2026).

Residents were unaware of GMS’s existence, leading to confusion as a church suddenly appeared in the predominantly Muslim area.

‘The name GMS meant nothing to residents. Some thought it was a warehouse, others believed it was to be a café,’ he said.

Moreover, on Saturday (23 May), a meeting involving the pastor, Sewon Police Station, Sewon Kapanewon, and Bantul Regency Kesbangpol had already taken place to discuss GMS’s inauguration.

‘The church intended to hold the inauguration ceremony despite warnings from Kesbangpol and local opposition. Kesbangpol summoned the pastor, who had only submitted a report to the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag),’ he said.

Abdurrahman added that Kesbangpol had urged GMS to reconsider the inauguration, as it lacked full permits and had not involved Bantul Regency’s Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB) during construction.

‘Kesbangpol had stated the permit was insufficient, and if the church proceeded regardless, they would not be held responsible for any consequences,’ he said.

Ultimately, GMS proceeded with the inauguration on Sunday, sparking public unrest and prompting residents to report the incident to FJI DIY.

‘Kemarin akhirnya kan bergejolak kan itu kan, karena warga juga sudah menolak. FJI dapat laporan juga, akhirnya kita datang ke sana, gitu,’ he said.

Abdurrahman expressed regret over claims that FJI DIY had disrupted the service, stating the action was necessary to prevent escalating tensions with residents.

‘However, many media outlets have misrepresented the incident as intolerance. With residents already opposing the service, failing to disperse it would have worsened the conflict,’ he said.

Additionally, Abdurrahman noted GMS’s proximity to Al-Munawwir Islamic Boarding School in Krapyak.

‘Hence the need to disperse it immediately, given the area’s Muslim majority and proximity to Al-Munawwir Islamic Boarding School,’ he said.

Furthermore, FJI DIY’s action was due to the lack of permits, compounded by residents’ unawareness that GMS was a church.

‘There are no permits. Proper procedure requires resident signatures, which were absent. The church was built without notification and was set to be inaugurated in a predominantly Muslim area,’ he said.

Abdurrahman added that FJI requested the GMS management to present their religious permit, but they were unable to do so.

Abdurrahman stated FJI does not oppose churches, provided they have proper permits.

‘If they wish to establish a church, they must follow procedures. Resident consent and signatures are required. If the community has no objections, neither do we,’ he said.

Moreover, Abdurrahman stressed that FJI DIY has never disturbed churches with valid permits.