Heavy security at Indonesia churches for Easter | Inquirer News

Heavy security at Indonesia churches for Easter

/ 08:32 PM April 02, 2021

A policeman inspects the premises of the Santo Fransiscus Xaverius church ahead of religious services on Good Friday in Kuta, near Denpasar on Indonesia's resort island of Bali, on April 2, 2021

A policeman inspects the premises of the Santo Fransiscus Xaverius church ahead of religious services on Good Friday in Kuta, near Denpasar on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali, on April 2, 2021. (Photo by SONNY TUMBELAKA / AFP)

JAKARTA — Christians in Indonesia celebrated Good Friday under heavy security with forces on high alert following a suicide bomb attack at a cathedral last week.

Heavily armed police and military personnel were seen at churches during Easter celebrations across the vast Muslim-majority nation, where Christians form 10 percent of the population.

Article continues after this advertisement

Indonesia has long struggled with attacks by Islamist militants, and has been on edge since two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a church in Makassar city on Sulawesi island, wounding 20 people.

FEATURED STORIES

“The enthusiasm of churchgoers today was still high despite the attack in Makassar,” Indonesian Communion of Churches spokesman Philip Situmorang told AFP.

“The police coordinated… to provide security at churches.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Authorities alleged the Makassar bombers were members of a pro-Islamic State extremist group.

Article continues after this advertisement

National Police spokesman Rusdi Hartono said Thursday that police across the country had been ordered to anticipate potential terror attacks against churches during Easter celebrations.

Article continues after this advertisement

There was another attack on Wednesday when a 25-year-old woman wearing a face veil entered a police complex in downtown Jakarta and opened fire on officers before she was shot dead.

Police described her as a “lone wolf” Islamic State sympathizer.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Christians, Indonesia, lone wolf

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.