'Revoke the ministerial decree!'

'Revoke the ministerial decree!'

Some Muslim hard-line groups have forced several Christian places
of worship to close on the grounds that they lack a permit. The
fact is that the prevailing regulations make it difficult for
minority groups to get permits for their places of worship as it
requires approval from the majority of the residents in the area.
The Jakarta Post interviewed some people to seek their thoughts
on the issue.

Ririn, 25, works at a bank on Jl. Gajah Mada, Central Jakarta.
She lives in Petamburan subdistrict, also in Central Jakarta:

Although we have long campaigned for tolerance among different
religions and faiths, there is still suspicion among us.

The attacks by Muslim groups against premises used as houses
of worship of other religions is a clear indication of such
suspicion and prejudice.

Many Muslims fear that religious services in those houses in
their neighborhood would be followed by efforts to convert local
Muslims to Christianity.

I think such suspicion still exists in our society. Therefore,
dialog among people of different faiths is important to ensure
that people are free to perform their religious services.

I agree that the joint ministerial decree on the establishment
of houses of worship should be revised. But I do not agree that
it should be annulled because it may worsen the conflict in
society.

Hermanus, 35, is a manager at a private company on Jl.
Sudirman. He lives in Bintaro Jaya housing complex, Tangerang:

The joint ministerial decree on houses of worship is the
source of the problem of attacks against churches and other
Christian houses of worship.

Therefore, the government must revoke the decree.

Because of the decree, people can easily prohibit others from
performing religious services.

I know that there are still problems of trust among believers
of different religions. So I think regular meetings among us in a
neighborhood may help to ease any friction that occurs because of
our differences.

We hold such meetings here in my neighborhood, so I never find
any problem although I am a non-Muslim.

-- The Jakarta Post