Christians Call for Prayers as Women Wait Court Decision on Conversions in Indonesia

Christians around the world are praying for the verdict of the three Christian women accused of Christianising Muslim children in Indonesia. The trial for Dr. Rebecca Laonita, Mrs. Ratna Mala Bangun, and Mrs. Ety Pangesti, ended on Thursday 25th August and the verdict will be presented on Thursday 1st September 2005.

The trial has come about after the three women had conducted a “Happy Week” VBS-type program earlier this year in their homes in the village of Haurgelis, West Java. The women were charged with “Christianisation” when Muslim imams heard that Muslim children had also joined the program. They were accused of violating Indonesia’s Child Protection Act of 2002 and have been held in prison without bail since the end of May.

The trial has become a stage for Islamic jihad propaganda since it first began in the district court of Indramavu, West Java. The courtroom has been jammed with Muslim radicals who conducted Muslim worship in it. According to Assist News Service, they have also proclaimed their militant propaganda in front of the courthouse.

Jeff Hammond, founder and director of Bless Indonesia Today, who attended the court session this past week, said that the courtroom was taken over by Islamic radicals for over one hour as they gave Islamic worship and proclaimed messages over the megaphone.

According to Hammond, ANS reports that the following were declared:

1. If the three ladies were not found guilty or given a light sentence, then they would bring Islamic justice to bear, shedding their own “sweet-smelling” blood of martyrdom if necessary.

2. They would “wipe the smiles off the faces” of the three women, and they would never be forgiven or allowed to return to their village in peace.

3. That anyone who has stood with and supported the three women shared in their guilt and would share in their punishment.

4. That they were not afraid of the Christians because Islam is the one and true religion and is far more glorious than Christianity and is backed by the power of Allah.

The court was reminded of the following points by the defence:

1. That some of the [prosecution’s] witnesses named and quoted had not, in fact, showed up, testified, or been sworn in.

2. That none of the witnesses had actually seen, heard or experienced the Happy Week program, had only presented hearsay reports, and therefore provided no evidence of any wrongdoing.

3. That no evidence was presented to prove the charge that the three women had "deliberately lied," "deceived," "forced the children to change religion" or that the children had attended "against their own will" or "without parental consent."

4. Conversely, all witnesses, including that of the prosecutor, had said the Muslim children were still Muslims and had never changed their religion. Finally, that the children had attended freely and with parental permission was proved by the photographic evidence showing their parents participating in Happy Week activities.

Therefore the defence asked for the panel of judges to dismiss all charges, and to find the three ladies not guilty, and release them from prison.

“As the radicals began leaving the court some began shouting ‘Allahu akbar’ [God is greater] and ‘Baldy’ of the chief judge, but their minders quickly quieted them and ordered them out and onto the trucks [that had brought them],” said Hammond.

The verdict will be announced on 1 September, at 10am Jakarta time.

“Now it is time for the intercessors to really go to work, as the judges sit down to make their decision and to write the reasons for their decision,” Hammond told ANS. “Please mobilise people to pray, as these dear sisters in Christ are facing the potential of five years imprisonment, or - if acquitted - the potential of being killed, having their homes burned down and their families attacked. Your urgent prayer support for the ladies at this time would be greatly appreciated.”