Racism and aspirations of self-determination sparked demonstrations in Indonesia’s Papua province. “Papuan churches are wrongly too focused on internal issues”, says a missionary who knows the island well.

The Director General for Prison Affairs announced that ‘Ahok’ will be released on January 24, four months ahead of schedule, by virtue of good conduct.

The death toll has risen to more than 2000. 86 church buildings in Palu have been established as aid centres. Pastors ask believers “to pray for strength for their communities to endure in the midst of trauma”.

A mudslide engulfed a church in Sulawesi Island. The death toll rose to 1,200 and 191,000 are in urgent need.

The 19-year-old lamp keeper of a floating fish trap, survived by catching fish and sipping seawater through his clothes. He had his Bible on board.

The epicentre was located in the tourist island of Lombok. Around 2,700 tourists have been evacuated from the Gili Islands.

Two are Protestant and one is Catholic. A family of six, including three children, carried out the synchronised attack. They had travelled to Syria to be trained by Daesh, authorities say.

Military Police used excavators and dynamite to destroy the Golden Lampstand Church. “This might be a new pattern against any independent churches”, Christian advocacy groups warn.

A study shows that over 50% of mega-church-goers in Southeast Asia, have a university degree, are Chinese, and come from families which were not previously Christian.

How can Islamic radicalism be countered after the imprisonment of the Christian governor of Jakarta?

A number of Muslim groups are actively seeking a Caliphate, although their conceptions of it differ. These groups include Al-Qa’ida, Daesh (IS), Hizb ut Tahrir, and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Indonesian police have named the leader of the Islamic Defenders Front as a suspect. Rizieq Shihab mobilised thousands to put pressure on judges in a ‘blasphemy’ trial against Christian politician ‘Ahok’.

Freedom of conscience, freedom of speech and religious freedom are battles that are worth fighting. 

‘Ahok’ is sentenced to two years of prison. The judges say the Christian politician “has caused anxiety, hurt Islam and divided Muslims.” Islamic radicals increase pressure on Christians.

People in France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Sweden are more interested in “spirituality” than in “religion”. A global survey shows that China and Indonesia have a great interest in religion.

The campaign was marked by violent demonstrations led by radical Muslims and a trial for alleged blasphemy. “Trust me, power comes from God and it too can be taken by God. Don’t be sad”, he told supporters.

Three churches have been banned for religious activities and another one was attacked in the last month. Banners against Christian candidate Basuki Tjahaja "Ahok" were rife all over Jakarta.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, led the race with 43% of the votes. He is the first Christian who governs the city and is currently under trial for blasphemy charges.

Young Markus had been an ambitious Muslim. He studied in an Islamic university led by his father and his mission was to reach out to Christian youth and lead them to the “right path”.

Outside the heavily guarded court, those opposing Ahok chanted, “Jail Ahok, jail Ahok, jail Ahok now”. Muslim clerics refer to the Christian politician as a “son of Satan”.

Hundreds were injured, roads and buildings have been heavily affected in Aceh (Sumatra island). The area was devastated by a massive tsunami in December 2004. 

Indonesia, the country with most Muslims in the world, sees the worrying rise of radical Islam. Christians fear demonstrations and new attacks on churches.

All of the victims of the attack are members of a Protestant Batak Church, three other children are injured. In recent demonstrations, radical Muslims protested against the influence of Christians.

“Pray that God will protect the churches in the country”, say believers after 50,000 Muslims rallied against alleged “blasphemy” of Christian Governor of Jakarta Basuki Ahok Thahaja Purnama.

A summary of the special Lausanne Movement Younger Leaders Gathering organised in Jakarta (Indonesia) in summer 2016. 1,000 delegates and 100 mentors came from 150 countries.