Source: www.persecution.org
Date: February 29, 2024
Indonesia (International Christian Concern) – Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas asked his staff at the Directorate General to intervene if there were obstacles to establishing a place of worship.
“The Director General must intervene, talk to regional heads, find out where the problem is, and what the solution is,” said Minister of Religion Yaqut in his statement in Jakarta on Feb 21.
The Minister of Religion said that since the beginning of his leadership, he often receives reports about difficulties in establishing places of worship according to the Indonesian-based news outlet Antara News. ICC has published numerous articles about congregations’ struggles to gain the proper permits to establish churches.
Currently, at the end of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet period, Minister of Religion Yaqut asked his staff to be proactive in helping if problems are still found in establishing places of worship.
“Please help, intervene, advocate. The regulation that often becomes an obstacle, SKB 2 Ministers, is currently being upgraded to a Presidential Decree; it just needs to be signed by the President,” said Yaqut.
According to him, the crucial requirement in SKB 2 Ministers, which requires recommendations from the FKUB and the Ministry of Religion, will be only recommendations from the Ministry of Religion.
“Hopefully, before Pak Jokowi ends his government, this Presidential Decree will be signed, and people will feel that life in Indonesia has become easier and there will be no difficulties in praying,” he continued.
Yaqut also asked his staff to ensure that Ministry of Religion offices throughout Indonesia could be used as temporary houses of worship. This condition occurs if people have difficulty praying because there is no permit to build a place of worship or other reasons such as social conflict.
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for growth in Indonesia’s church. Praise God for this step toward religious freedom. Please pray that this new regulation will be approved before the change of President this year.