Ministry of Religious Affairs Opens Seal on House of Worship in Tangerang, Condemns Intolerance and Persecution
The house of worship owned by the Persatuan Oikumene Umat Kristiani (POUK) Tesalonika congregation in Teluknaga Subdistrict, Tangerang, was sealed, sparking a viral controversy on social media. The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) intervened to resolve the polemic.
A deliberation was led by the Special Staff to the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Gugun Gumilar. Attendees included Teluknaga Subdistrict Head Kurnia Deden Syukron, Satpol PP Chief Ana Supriatna, Pastors Michael Siahaan and Balo Napitupulu, POUK Council Chairman Oktaviyanto, Chairman of the POUK Tesalonika Tangerang Foundation Ledan Pakpahan, Head of General Administration and Personnel of the Banten Ministry of Human Rights Office Erwin Firmansyah, and FKUB representative Baihaqi.
As mediator and facilitator in the deliberation between the Tangerang Regional Government and the foundation and house of worship representatives, Gugun emphasised the importance of upholding national values, tolerance, and freedom of religion in Indonesia.
“This afternoon, I went directly to the site at the POUK Teluknaga foundation and house of worship to be present in the field, conduct mediation, and communicate with various related parties to find the best solution. Alhamdulillah, these efforts were carried out, demonstrating the state’s tangible presence in responding to issues in the community,” said Gugun.
“Alhamdulillah, thanks to communication and coordination among all parties, this issue has been resolved well,” Gugun stated.
The following are the points of agreement:
The removal/opening of the seal on the POUK foundation and the POUK Teluknaga congregation house of worship has been carried out.
The Tangerang Regency Regional Government will seek land, handle PBG/IMB (building permits), and construct a church near the Teluknaga location.
The handover and reinstallation of the signboard has been completed this afternoon.
The points of agreement have been signed, and any changes will be addressed through consensual deliberation.
Gugun affirmed that Indonesia is a nation founded on Pancasila. Thus, Indonesia guarantees diversity and serves as a home for all citizens regardless of religious, ethnic, or group backgrounds.
“Indonesia is a Pancasila state for all. No group should feel more entitled than others in practising their faith,” he continued.
Gugun also stressed that freedom of worship is a fundamental right of every citizen protected by the constitution. “Freedom of worship is the right of all the nation’s children. Intolerance and persecution cannot be justified in any form,” he asserted.
Furthermore, he called on all elements of society to continue maintaining harmony and strengthening the spirit of peaceful living amid diversity. “We must live in harmony and peace. Differences are an inevitability that we must safeguard together, not a source of conflict,” he added.
“Kemenag is present for all, serving and supporting all the nation’s children without discrimination,” he concluded.
Previously reported, the sealing of the POUK Tesalonika house of worship occurred on Friday (3/4) after Good Friday worship and went viral on social media. In the viral video, a group of people along with Satpol PP members arrived at the location and placed a seal sign on the building.
Local residents’ representatives at the site also demanded that no further activities take place at the POUK Tesalonika house of worship. They urged the congregation representatives to issue a statement to halt operations at the house of worship.
Tangerang Regent Mochamad Maesyal Rasyid then commented on the polemic of closing the POUK Tesalonika congregation house of worship in Teluknaga Subdistrict, Tangerang. Maesyal emphasised that the regional government is present to ensure the safety and comfort of all religious communities in practising worship.
“The Tangerang Regency Government does not discriminate based on religion. We ensure that all communities can practise worship according to their beliefs safely, comfortably, and peacefully. Tangerang Regency has long been known as an area that upholds tolerance,” said Maesyal, as seen on the official Tangerang Regency Government website, Monday (6/4/2026).