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View all search resultsAttack on prayer house injures children, sparks outrage over state inaction
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A police officer stands guard on July 28 in front of a Christian prayer house following a violent disruption of religious activities in Padang Sarai, Padang, West Sumatra. A group of residents vandalized the property belonging to the Indonesian Faithful Christian Church (GKSI) Anugerah Padang on July 27, leading to the arrest of nine individuals. (Antara/Iggoy el Fitra)
H
uman rights groups have strongly condemned a recent mob attack on a Christian prayer house in Padang, West Sumatra, accusing authorities of enabling religious intolerance through inaction and dismissive responses.
On Sunday afternoon, a group of people disrupted religious education activities at a prayer house belonging to the congregation of the Indonesian Faithful Christian Church (GKSI) Anugerah Padang in Padang Sarai village, Koto Tangah district.
According to local reports and circulating videos, several men vandalized the prayer house using rocks and wooden sticks, damaging furniture and smashing windows.
The attackers also reportedly intimidated worshipers, including women and children. Two children, aged 8 and 11, were injured by hard objects. A pastor from the congregation said around 30 children were present when the violence occurred.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from rights advocates who view it as part of a broader pattern of unchecked religious intolerance in Indonesia.
“This act is unjustifiable and constitutes a criminal offense that violates both national law and the Constitution,” said the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace in a statement on Monday.
Read also: Police detain seven for vandalizing West Java home used for Christian retreat
