One of the students’ parents, Herlina Boru Sibuea, said her child had not since elementary school raised his hand to salute the Indonesian flag or sing the anthem because it was against their beliefs as Jehovah’s Witnesses.

“He behaved that way due to our Bible’s teaching, as saluting the flag could be interpreted as a form of worship. We don’t do that because it’s against our belief,” the 46-year-old mother told The Jakarta Post.

When her son first entered the school, Herlina had attached a certificate stating the family’s religious belief to ask for the school’s understanding regarding her son’s refusal to salute the flag, sing the anthem and attend religion classes.

“We are a part of the Christian community, but we don’t celebrate Christmas since the Bible doesn’t order us to celebrate it,” she said. “My son has a different belief than the one they teach at school.”

Since her son was in seventh grade, the school had no problems with his belief. However, SMP 21 authorities started to fuss over the matter in early November.

“They summoned me and asked that [my son] leave the school. I refused because it’s our right to receive education at the school,” she said, adding that the school’s location was close to their house.

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