persecution
Residents Protest Planned Church Construction in Central Java
By commsmanager at International Christian Concern
· June 16, 2026
· 2 min read
Muslims living near the proposed site of the Javanese Christian Church (GKJ) in Banyuanyar Village, Solo City, Central Java, Indonesia, protested its construction on June 11, citing the church’s lack of a building permit. Legiyatno, the head of Banyuanyar Village, said the demonstration occurred on
Key takeaway Legiyatno, the head of Banyuanyar Village, said the demonstration occurred on the vacant land where the church is planned to be built.
Why this matters
The protest against the planned Javanese Christian Church construction in Central Java highlights the challenges faced by religious minorities in Indonesia, where the majority of the population is Muslim. The requirement for approval from nearby residents, as cited by village head Legiyatno, can be a significant obstacle for churches, as seen in this case where 70 Muslim families and only two non-Muslim families reside in the area. The church construction committee's efforts to complete administrative documents and obtain necessary permits are crucial in navigating this complex situation. The fact that the permitting process has been delayed since 2023 due to regional and general elections underscores the need for efficient and fair governance in addressing religious freedom issues. As Gugun Gumilar, special staff to the Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, emphasized, resolving the issue in accordance with the law is essential to promoting tolerance and preventing intolerance in Indonesia.
About this story
Original reporting by International Christian Concern . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: persecution ·
Published: June 16, 2026 ·
Source: International Christian Concern ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Muslims living near the proposed site of the Javanese Christian Church (GKJ) in Banyuanyar Village, Solo City, Central Java, Indonesia, protested its construction on June 11, citing the church’s lack of a building permit. Legiyatno, the head of Banyuanyar Village, said the demonstration occurred on
When was this published? This article was first published on June 16, 2026 by International Christian Concern and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by commsmanager at International Christian Concern. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more persecution coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .