Local officials disrupted a wedding in Mergosari, Tarik District, Sidoarjo Regency of Java Island, Indonesia. Village head Eko Budi Santoso then proceeded to ban any further gathering and worship in the church. He and the other officials claimed that the church does not have the proper documentation and that the worship disturbs the peace of the neighbors and neighborhood.

Village officials claimed that they acted upon a complaint against the prayer house and mentioned the lack of a permit as one reason. However, the House of Prayer has a signed government certificate from the Christian Community Guidance Regional Office leader, so it is registered and allowed to hold acts of worship and gatherings.

Although the village officials claim that the worships disturb the neighbours, multiple sources report after interviewing the locals that they do not have any problem with the church. Commenting on this case, Bonar Tigor Naipospos, deputy chairman of the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace, a human rights organization, said that it was,

“a clear sign of state subordination to the will of the intolerant groups.”

He also added that to gain greater possible votes with the more populous groups, local politicians are even willing to choose the side of religious extremists that represent a bigger group than local religious minorities.

Source: Christian Daily