TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

No Hindu temples? Bekasi protest highlights problematic decree on worship places

There are between 6,000 and 7,000 Hindus in Bekasi, a regency of 3.5 million people who are predominantly Muslim, according to data from the Bekasi Religious Harmony Forum, and plans to build the first Hindu temple in the regency were initiated in 2017.

Karina M. Tehusijarana (The Jakarta Post)
Premium
Jakarta
Thu, May 9, 2019

Share This Article

Change Size

No Hindu temples? Bekasi protest highlights problematic decree on worship places  A banner in front of the planned construction site of a Hindu temple in Sukatani village, Bekasi regency, West Java, reads: “Be careful! If you insist on building the temple, we are ready to carry out jihad as you are the ones who started this.” (Tempo/File)

P

rotests over a plan to construct a Hindu temple in Sukahurip village in Sukatani district, Bekasi regency, West Java, has once again put a spotlight on the state of religious freedom in the country.

There are between 6,000 and 7,000 Hindus in Bekasi, a regency of 3.5 million people who are predominantly Muslim, according to data from the Bekasi Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB), and plans to build the first Hindu temple in the regency were initiated in 2017.

However, construction of the temple might never begin as residents staged protests on Saturday and Sunday, rejecting the presence of a Hindu place of worship in the village.

A 2006 joint ministerial regulation requires local resident approval for the construction of any new place of worship, which often becomes an issue when minority religious communities look to build temples, churches or mosques in areas where residents are predominantly of another faith.

to Read Full Story

  • Unlimited access to our web and app content
  • e-Post daily digital newspaper
  • No advertisements, no interruptions
  • Privileged access to our events and programs
  • Subscription to our newsletters
or

Purchase access to this article for

We accept

TJP - Visa
TJP - Mastercard
TJP - GoPay

Redirecting you to payment page

Pay per article

No Hindu temples? Bekasi protest highlights problematic decree on worship places

Rp 29,000 / article

1
Create your free account
By proceeding, you consent to the revised Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.
Already have an account?

2
  • Palmerat Barat No. 142-143
  • Central Jakarta
  • DKI Jakarta
  • Indonesia
  • 10270
  • +6283816779933
2
Total Rp 29,000
{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.