Bandung Church Confirms Permission to Stage Celebration After Shut Down
Jakarta. Bandung's Christian Revival Service, or KKR, on Wednesday (07/12) confirmed claims it had the correct permits to stage a Christmas celebration on Tuesday which was forcibly shut down by a Muslim group.
The group, identifying as Defenders of Ahlus Sunnah (PAS), forced organizers to end celebrations which featured preacher Stephen Tong on Tuesday afternoon and claimed the religious service should be held in a church, not a public building.
Organizers said in a statement it has received a letter from police acknowledging the event ahead of Tuesday at the Sabuga Building.
“We had completed all the legal procedures required to stage the Christmas celebration. Because of that, Stephen Tong didn’t acknowledge any mistakes in legal procedures for the event,” organizers said on Wednesday evening.
The group condemned both the disruption and the failure of police to resolve the issue, saying it violated Criminal Code articles on hindrances to prayers.
But, the group showed its appreciation for Bandung Mayor who had vowed to secure another Christmas celebration this month as a replacement.
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