In the latest act of intolerance that further undermines the country’s effort to present itself as beacon of democracy for the Islamic world, a group of radical Muslims in Bekasi, West Java, prevented a Christian congregation from holding a service by hurling urine, sewage and frogs at them, a parishioner said.



The Congregation of Batak Protestant Churches (HKBP) Filadelfia was forced to halt its service commemorating the ascension of Jesus Christ at their half-built church in Tambun, Bekasi, after being harassed by a group of people who oppose the church’s construction.



Filadelfia congregation leader Rev. Palti Panjaitan said the protesters blocked access to the church building, located in Jejalen Raya village, at 8:30 a.m. when the congregation was about to enter the church and start the service. “We [the congregation and the people] were only separated by a barri...