Islam

JAKARTA, Indonesia (Compass Direct News) – Local governments have ordered the closure of two churches on Indonesia’s Java island.

Under pressure from Islamist groups, authorities ordered Christian Baptist Church in Sepatan, Tangerang district, Banten Province to cease services. In Pondok Timur, near Bekasi in West Java, officials abruptly closed the Huria Christian Protestant Batak Church (HKBP) after delaying a building permit for four years.

Tangerang district authorities issued a decree on Jan. 21 ordering all worship activities to cease at the Baptist church. At a meeting in the district offices, officials pressured church officials to sign a statement that they would stop all worship activities, but they refused. more >>

Malaysia on Friday said it charged three Muslim men over the firebombing of a church that took place after a court ruled in favor of non-Christians using the word “Allah” to refer to God.

All three suspects are in their 20’s and face a maximum prison sentence of up to 20 years if convicted of “mischief by fire” with the intention of destroying a place of worship. The suspects pleaded not guilty in a Kuala Lumpur court on Friday and a trial date was not immediately scheduled. The three are the first suspects to be indicted on the charge of firebombing a church.

Last week, Malaysian police announced they arrested eight people suspected in an arson attack on the Metro Tabernacle church, located in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. The other five suspects have been released without charge. more >>

It was an unusual Sunday morning worship at Northwood Church in Keller, Texas. Christians, Muslims and Jews sat together in the megachurch to hear an evangelical pastor preach about Jesus.

The three faith groups had already visited the Islamic Center of Irving the previous day and the Temple Shalom of North Dallas on Friday before congregating inside the Christian house of worship. And they don't plan to make this a one-time event.

As Northwood Senior Pastor Bob Roberts said Sunday, the three groups are making an attempt to get to know one another, understand the different teachings and worldviews, and become friends. more >>

The company embroiled in the controversy over Bible verse codes embossed on its gun sights announced that it will stop the practice.

Michigan-based Trijicon, Inc., which has a $660 million multi-year contract with the U.S. Marine Corps, said Thursday that the company will stop putting Bible references on all its products for the U.S. military. It will also remove all Scripture references on U.S. military products that have yet to be shipped and provide 100 modification kits to the Pentagon to remove references that are on optical sights already used in the field.

"Trijicon has proudly served the U.S. military for more than two decades, and our decision to offer to voluntarily remove these references is both prudent and appropriate,” said Trijicon president and CEO Stephen Bindon, in a statement. “We want to thank the Department of Defense for the opportunity to work with them and will move as quickly as possible to provide the modification kits for deployment overseas.” more >>

The Malaysian police has arrested eight people suspected in an arson attack on a church that took place after the High Court’s recent controversial “Allah” ruling.

Federal criminal investigation chief Bakri Zinin told reporters Wednesday that the eight suspects are being held for investigation on the firebombing of the Metro Tabernacle church, located in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur.

The Metro Tabernacle was the first of eleven churches attacked by unknown assailants after the High Court ruled last month that it is unconstitutional to ban non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” to refer to God. Arabic speaking non-Muslims, including Christians, have for centuries used “Allah” as a translation for “God.” more >>