On this collection of 13,500 islands and 300 ethnic groups lives the largest Muslim population in the world (about 185 million). Indonesia declared independence following Japanese occupation during World War II. In an effort to gain a compromise between proponents of an Islamic state and more secular Muslims, Indonesia became, in effect, a religious nation without a state religion.

The government requires all citizens to carry an identification card which includes their religion. The government promotes a belief called Pancasila - meaning that all may choose to follow Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, or Hinduism – but in reality, Muslims receive preferential treatment. Christian groups continually face the brunt of this special status. In fact, there appears to be a concentrated effort on the part of Muslims to see as many churches closed as possible. In Bandung City alone twelve house churches in were closed in a single sweeping move in September 2004. 

Militant Islamic militia groups, such as the Laskar Jihad, have orchestrated an Islamic jihad against Christians in some areas of Indonesia, killing thousands of people and destroying hundreds of churches and homes, often supported by government troops. This is particularly true in areas where Christians are the majority, such as Central Sulawesi and the Maluku Islands, where unfortunately some of the young people in the predominantly Christian areas retaliated against Muslim villages. In 2002, a peace treaty was signed between the Christians and the Muslims and, for the most part, the treaty has held, despite some incidences of violence. In October 2002 the Laskar Jihad announced that they were disbanding and many of its members left the Maluku area. However, it is believed that the group merely went underground and may be responsible for the attacks that have threatened the peace accord since. The demise of Carminalis Ndele is but one instance of the constant danger that believers live in. He was murdered on November 4, 2004. The next day, his head was found, having been tossed from a car, and his body was found two kilometers from his home.

Starting in mid-2005, a campaign was begun by militant groups in West Java to force the closure of churches in the area.  Dozens of churches have been forced to close while the authorities have done little to protect the Christians.

• Pray that peace will continue in those areas where violence had previously reigned.  Pray that both Christians and Muslims will learn to live in peace.
• Pray that Christians in Indonesia will have the freedom to share their faith without fear of intimidation.
• Pray that those pushing for a stricter Islamic state will fail and that Indonesia will truly be free for those of all religions.