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May 5, 2006
Indonesia: Christian Radio Threatened By Muslim Extremists
Today's Asia News reports that in Cirebon in West Java province, about 165 miles east of Jakarta, on the coast, a Chrisian radio station is under threat. The station, Radio Suara Gratia or "Voice of Grace" is under threat because Muslim extremists accuse it of proselytizing.
At the end of April, the station was told to stop airing programs by the Anti-Separatism Youth Movement (GAPAS) and the Muslim Community Front (FUI).
The problem involves the fact that the station has a licence for general use. Because Cirebon regards itself as predominantly Muslim, the groups regard it as "irrelevant". The local leader of GAPAS in Cirebon, Taufiq, said: "A programme for Christians will really disorient Muslim citizens. If they do not stop their transmissions, it means their intention is to proselytise."
The director of the station, Jimmy Gideon, said: "Not all programs broadcast are of a religious nature or have Christian content. At fixed times, we do transmit a special program for Christian communities, but this has not broken regulations, although we had the licence for general use."
FUI is insisting the station stop broadcasting altogether because, according to Kia Haj Bajri, its leader, "they infringe the joint ministerial decree about proclamation of religious beliefs (also known by Indonesian Muslims as dakwah).....Such practices should be undertaken in church not over the radio."
Meetings between Bajri and Gideon did not come close to any agreement. Surprisingly, even though I have explored the archives of the Jakarta Post, nothing of this dispute is mentioned.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at May 5, 2006 6:37 PM
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