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Kingdom Hall plan attracts controversy
A radical mass organization in Baciro, Yogyakarta, has stirred up a hullabaloo over the plan by Jehovahâs Witness followers to build a place of worship, known as a Kingdom Hall
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radical massorganization in Baciro, Yogyakarta, has stirred up a hullabaloo over the plan byJehovah's Witness followers to build a place of worship, known as a Kingdom Hall.
The Islam Jihad Forum (FJI) staged a rally in the front of the site as it said the building lacked the relevant permission.
'We have organized a meeting to garner support from those who are against the construction plan,' FJI field coordinator Abdurahman said on Tuesday night.
Besides the group's permission gripes, Abdurahman also suspected that the construction committee had held back information regarding the Kingdom Hall's construction plan.
'The committee had asked for support from the locals but only for a seminar and not for a building. There is a strong indication of fraud here,' he said.
The meeting was organized at Sonyoragi Mosque, which is near to the site. After the meeting, protesters placed slogan banners in the front of the construction site.
No one was available for comment from the Kingdom Hall construction committee or the site.
Head of Baciro subdistrict Budi Warsono said there were no legal problems. In fact, he added, the Kingdom Hall construction committee had recommendations from both the authorities and the Inter Religious Forum (FKUB), which bridges communication between religious groups.
Commenting on this, activist Elga Sarapung said if the construction committee had obeyed all the procedures then FJI had no right to protest. She said the rally could taint the province's harmonious inter-religious relationships. (dic)
