According to International Christian Concern, the Indonesian Pentecostal Church in Sungai Bahar, Muaro Jambi had just completed the construction of its new church when Muslim landowners in the area quickly blocked access to it by building a wall across the road leading to the property.

The church, which had previously rented its facilities, had raised money to purchase property, received all the necessary building permits and was able to construct its building as finances permitted. 

On July 24, the church pastor, Ruyanto Situmorang, posted on social media about the wall that was now blocking access to the just-completed church.

Indonesia is made up of 17,504 islands and 87% of its 270 million citizens follow Islam, making it the most populous Muslim country in the world. 

Though freedom of religion is guaranteed in Indonesia, the dominant Muslim population often resists the growth of Christianity in the country. The church has taken its case about the blocked road before the Regional Representatives Council of Jambi Province.

READ: Road to a Newly Constructed Church Blocked Off