Disputed Churches in Jakarta
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Disputed Churches in Jakarta Ihsan Ali-Fauzi Samsu Rizal Panggabean Nathanael Gratias Sumaktoyo Anick H. T. Husni Mubarak Testriono Siti Nurhayati Translated by Rebecca Lunnon Edited by Tim Lindsey and Melissa Crouch ABSTRACT Healthy pluralism requires space for all religious adherents to worship and construct places of worship in accordance with their convictions. The state should protect this right as an essential matter, Despite this normative ideal, there is still much controversy surrounding the construction of places of worship in Indonesia. In the last few years, the planned construction of a number of places of worship has been disputed, although others have been able to overcome these problems by relying on different strategies. This research seeks to examine the factors that play a role in initiating and resolving conflict over places of worship. Places of worship are specifically limited in this study to Catholic churches and Protestant churches that are members of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (Persekutuan Gereja-gereja di Indonesia, PGI). The methods used were participant observation and in-depth interviews of church members representing one Map of Indonesia (courtesy of www.world-geographics.com) of four categories: (1) undisputed churches; (2) disputed churches that have since resolved the dispute; (3) originally undisputed churches that have since become disputed; and (4) churches that have never been able to resolve the dispute. Based on thirteen case studies, the research on which this report is based confirms the influential role of state regulation and social factors. The cases show that the obstacles some churches experience are generally related to weak government agencies due to political, social or ideological reasons. In terms of social factors, demographic factors were not found to have an influence. Resistance to churches was more often caused by a lack of communication, or provocation or intimidation by specific groups. After describing and analysing the thirteen cases selected, this monograph closes with conclusions and recommendations. Map of Jakarta (Courtesy of www.indonesia-tourism.com) 2 3 www.law.unimelb.edu.au/alc www.law.unimelb.edu.au/cils THE PRACTICE OF PLURALISM SERIES This book is part of a series on ‘The Practice of Pluralism’ published by the Center for Religious and Cross- Cultural Studies (CRCS), Postgraduate School, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta. It is the prod- uct of research undertaken at CRCS since 2008. The series includes several monographs on research undertaken by CRCS’s partners in different regions of Indonesia (Medan, Banjarmasin, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bali, Makassar and Papua) on the practice of plural- ism in society. In addition, CRCS has also published Pluralisme Kewargaan: Arah Baru Politik Keragaman di Indonesia (Civic Pluralism: a New Direction in the Politics of Diversity in Indonesia) (2011), which does not specifically focus on one locality but examines the practice of pluralism from a theoretical perspective. CRCS (www.crcs.ugm.ac.id) is a postgraduate program at UGM that was established in 2000. Through aca- demic activities, research and public education, CRCS aims to develop the study of religion and understand- ings about the dynamics of religious life and social issues in the context of developing a plural society that is both democratic and just. The Pluralism Knowledge Programme (PKP) is an international collaboration between academic institutes and civil society organisations in four countries, namely CRCS (Yogyakarta, Indonesia); the Center for the Study of Culture and Society (Bangalore, India); the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (Kampala, Uganda); and the Kosmopolis Institute, University for Humanistics and Disputed Churches in Jakarta Hivos (The Netherlands), which organises and supports it. PKP seeks to develop and distribute knowledge March 2011 that strengthens understandings about pluralism throughout these four countries. PKP’s initiatives in Indone- Ihsan Ali-Fauzi, Samsu Rizal Panggabean, Nathanael Gratias Sumaktoyo, sia include publication of the Annual Report on Religious Life in Indonesia since 2009; facilitation of research Anick H. T., Husni Mubarak, Testriono and Siti Nurhayati undertaken collaboratively by academics and NGO activists on the local practice of pluralism; and the International Summer School on Pluralism and Development, which involves teachers and participants from Translated by Rebecca Lunnon each of the four countries. Further information is available at www.uvh.nl and www.crcs.ugm.ac.id. Edited by Tim Lindsey and Melissa Crouch The English edition of this book is published in cooperation with the Asian Law Centre and the Centre for Islamic Law and Society at the University of Melbourne, The Paramadina Foundation (Jakarta) and the Center for Religious and Cross-cultural Studies (CRCS), Postgraduate School, Gadjah Mada University (Yogyakarta). Cover image: AP Photo/Slamet Riyadi ISBN: 978-602-96257-3-8. Translation was funded by Professor Tim Lindsey’s ARC Federation Fellowship “Islam and Modernity: Syari’ah, Terror- ism and Governance in South-East Asia”. Professor Lindsey was appointed as an ARC Federation Fellow in 2006, a 5-year appointment funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC). Extremism in Southeast Asia responds to challenges that western-derived modernity poses for Islam, including market economies, democracy and nation states. Professor Lindsey examined the different responses to these challenges through research on regional Muslim communities, institution build- ing, mentoring young scholars and community engagement in the Southeast Asian region. The Fellowship also aimed to help strengthen the Melbourne Law School as a hub for research and public engagement on issues related to Islam and law in our region. All information included in the English translation of this report is subject to copyright. The persons and institutions involved in the production of this document do not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this report and do not necessarily endorse any views expressed or services offered therein. 4 5 www.law.unimelb.edu.au/alc www.law.unimelb.edu.au/cils Contents 3.3 Mediators and Conflict Resolution ............................................................................... 83 Abstract ................................................................................................................................ 3 3.4 Actors behind the Conflict ............................................................................................ 84 The Practice of Pluralism Series .......................................................................................... 5 3.5 Socio-Economic Demographics .................................................................................. 86 PREFACE ............................................................................................................................. 8 3.6 The Local Politics of Conflict ....................................................................................... 87 Introduction to the Monograph Series on the Practice of Pluralism ..................................... 8 CHAPTER IV: CONCLUSION ............................................................................................ 89 About this Monograph: Dissection of Issues Concerning the Construction of Churches ... 11 4.1 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 89 PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH EDITION ........................................................................... 13 4.1.1 State Regulations ..................................................................................................... 89 From the Director of Paramadina Foundation .................................................................... 13 4.2 Recommendations........................................................................................................ 90 From the Asian Law Centre ................................................................................................ 13 4.2.1 To the Government .................................................................................................... 90 Glossary ............................................................................................................................. 16 4.2.2 To Religious Leaders and Organisations .................................................................. 92 CHAPTER I ....................................................................................................................... 18 4.3 Limitations and Generalisations .................................................................................. 93 1.1 Research Scope: Controversy over the Construction of Churches ............................. 18 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................ 95 1.2 Why Controversial? State Regulations and Social Factors ......................................... 20 Attachments........................................................................................................................ 97 1.3 Research Context: A History of Churches in Jakarta ................................................... 22 List of Interviewees ............................................................................................................. 97 1.4 Regulation of Places of Worship: Then and Now