Christians convicted of proselytism hold prayer meetings behind bars
The three women were charged with attempting to convert Muslim children.
Jakarta (AsiaNews/ANS) Three Christians convicted of proselytism have managed to obtain permission to hold prayer meetings in prison. They are Rebecca Loanita, Etty Pangesti eand Ratna Mala Bangun. This was revealed by Jim Jacobson, president of Christian Freedom International (CFI), visited the three women in Indramayu.
The women used to run a Sunday school in their community in Indramayu. On 1 September, they were found guilty of having violated the 2002 Child Protection Act by trying to convert Muslim children to Christianity. During their four-month trial, Islamic extremists did their utmost to intimidate and influence the judges. The sentence was held "unjust" by several human rights organisations: the school activities targeted Christians and Muslim children were allowed to attend only after permission had been obtained from the Muslim students' guardians.
"My first reaction after the sentence," said Rebecca, "I cry." A medical doctor, Rebecca treated approximately 30 to 40 Muslim and Christian patients per day in her clinic in Indramayu. There are 437 inmates in the overcrowded prison; only 16 are women. Eight detainees are crammed in a cell measuring five by five metres, sleeping on a wooden platform.
Rebecca said inmates must pay the guards to open the water to their cell.
"I wake up at 5am everyday to pray and read my Bible until 7.30. At 8am they open the cell doors," said Rebecca. The 16 women then share a 10 by 10 metre room where there is only one chair, until 4pm.
Surprisingly, Rebecca was given the go-ahead to hold a prayer meeting on Sundays; the prison authorities allow around 35 people from her church to come to participate. The service takes place in a small open courtyard within the prison precincts. Recently, a detainee was converted to Christianity and he also participates in the Sunday service.
"Sometimes I am depressed, but not for long. God comforts me everyday with joy and peace. I pray for the other prisoners and guards," said Rebecca. The woman is "not angry" and says she "forgives" those who accused her unjustly.
"We have been here 140 days. I want to do God's will. I hope to be released soon."
One of the other women, Etty, has three children: "I dream of returning home". Ratna, meanwhile, has two children aged eight and two years: "I miss them so much".
CFI, an inter-faith organisation for human rights and freedom of worship, has launched an appeal to the Indonesian government for the release of the three women. CFI is also urging the US government to place all possible pressure on Jakarta for their immediate release.
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