04/17/2022 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) – Indonesian police have been deployed to different parts of the predominantly Muslim country to ensure the safety of Christians during the Easter weekend.
Located in Central Jakarta’s sub-district of Sawah Besar, Jakarta Cathedral is safeguarded by at least 100 joint security personnel including those from the police and the military.
In East Kalimantan, the Balikpapan Police also sent hundreds of personnel to guard 96 churches in Balikpapan City, in part to prevent possible attacks as Christians celebrate Easter. Six churches also saw police presence as they conducted inspections before the celebrations take place.
The Lampung Regional Police in Southern Sumatra has also deployed 446 personnel and involved the military and the regional government to provide security for Christians in the jurisdiction of the Lampung Police.
During Easter, many churches in Indonesia have been hit by terrorist attacks in the past. In March last year, two suicide bombers attacked a cathedral in Makassar, South Sulawesi province, after the church finished its Palm Sunday service. Around 20 were injured in the attack, while the two bombers associated with the terrorist group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), who were newlyweds, died at the scene.
