Rise in Support for ISIS in Indonesia

There is growing concern that recent terror attacks and the ISIS movement around the globe may reignite terrorist activities in Indonesia, a country that has had a history of deadly attacks by Muslim militants, including church bombings in 2001, Bali bombing in 2002, and hotel bombings in 2009.

In January of this year, the US embassy in Indonesia issued a security alert for hotels and banks based on a potential threat against US-associated facilities in Surabaya, East Java. Earlier, in December 2014, 12 East Java citizens were arrested for their involvement with ISIS. To date, more than 500 young people have left Indonesia to go to the Middle East and join the ISIS fighters. Unfortunately, the Indonesian anti-terrorism law is not strong enough to curb this growing ISIS support.

There is also trouble brewing on the island of Sulawesi. In January, the anti-terrorism squad shot a long-sought terrorist suspect in Poso, central Sulawesi. This was the site of serious sectarian conflict between Christians and Muslims in early 2000s, when  thousands of people were killed.

Another terrorist suspect linked to the East Indonesia Mujaheedin (MIT) was also arrested in January.

• Pray for the Indonesian government to deal with terrorism strategically and the spread of Islamic radicalism to be halted.
• Pray for protection for Believers and the Church in Indonesia.

Ephesians 6 vs 18 and 12: Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Source: www.opendoorsusa.org