Security Boosted at Churches in Indonesia Over Christmas

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Tens of thousands of police officers will guard churches across the world's most populous Muslim country over the Christmas period, amid concerns that Al Qaeda-linked militants could carry out attacks, police said Monday.

The regional terror network Jemaah Islamiyah has been blamed for annual strikes in Indonesia since 2000, when a series of coordinated bombings killed 19 people on Christmas Eve. An attack on a Christian market last New Year's Eve killed seven.

More than 18,000 police will be posted at thousands of churches and religious sites in the capital, Jakarta, said police spokesman Col. Ketut Untung Yoga.

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O, Muslim Town Of Bethlehem

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (ANS) -- "All is quiet in Bethlehem. On Manger Square, the Church of the Nativity stands in the pale gloom of dusk, its doors open to passing pilgrims.

"But inside, the nave is empty of visitors and the collection boxes depleted of coins.

"In the candlelit grotto downstairs, a silver star marks the spot where Jesus is supposed to have been born.

"It is one of the most sacred sites in Christendom, but there are no tourists queuing to see it."

This is the start of a story carried on the UK website,

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/home/

It goes on to say that just 500 yards down the road, Joseph Canawati is not looking forward to Christmas.
The expansive lobby of his 77-room Hotel Alexander is empty and he says: "There is no hope for the future of the Christian community.

"We don't think things are going to get better. For us, it is finished."
Read more :
www.assistnews.net/