These women deserve a moment of your prayer time today. A friend personally attended the final day of the trail of 3 Christian women in Indonesia, undergoing prosecution for the crime of teaching Sunday School.
Here is his first hand report of the event:
Before the case began the Islamic radicals took over the court for more than an hour, conducted an Islamic worship service and conducted a serious of speeches using a megaphone stating:
- If the three ladies are not found guilty or are given a light sentence then they have a plan and will bring Islamic justice and are willing to shed their own blood in jihad. They said it would be the sweet smelling blood of martyrdom.
- The three ladies would never be forgiven and would never be allowed to return to their village in peace.
- That they would wipe the smiles off the faces of the three women.
- That anyone who has stood with and supported the three ladies share in their guilt and would share in their punishment.
- That they were not afraid of the Christians because Islam is the one and true religion and is far more glorious than Christianity and it is backed up by the power of Allah.
When the proceedings began, the court today was relatively quiet with only a few murmerings and interjections of "Lies!" "Haram! (Unclean)".
The main points of the Defense were:
- The Prosecutor in his summation had listed all the witnesses and summarized their testimonies. However, several that were named as witnesses whose testimonies were quoted had not in fact testified, and had not even attended the case or been sworn in.
- That none of the witnesses had actually seen, heard or experienced the Happy Sunday program and had only presented hearsay reports and therefore there existed no evidence of any wrong doing.
- That no evidence was presented to prove the charge that they had "deliberately lied", "deceived", "forced the children to change religion" or that the children had attended "against their own will".or "without parental consent". Since noone had testified or provided any evidence that the 3 ladies had deliberately lied, used deception, forced the children to change their religion, that they had attended against their own will or without the permission of their families was not proved. Furthermore - all witnesses, including the Prosecutor had said they were still Muslims and had never changed their religion, and that the children had attended freely and with parental permission was proved by the photographic evidence of their parents participating in Happy Sunday activities.
- That the panel of judges should dismiss all charges, find the three ladies not guilty, and release them from prison.
As soon as the Defense finished, the Judges stated that the verdict would be announced next Thursday 10.00 am Jakarta time, and they then closed the session. As the radicals began leaving the court some began shouting "Allahu akbar" and "Baldy" of the chief judge, but their minders quickly quietened them and ordered them out and on to the trucks.
Now it is time for the intercessors to go really go to work as the judges sit down to make their decision and to write the reasons for their decision. Please mobilize people to pray as these dear sisters in Christ are facing the potential of 5 years imprisonment or if acquitted, the potential of being killed, having their homes burned down and their families attacked. Your urgent prayer support for the ladies at this time would be greatly appreciated.
