Jakarta, Indonesia - Vice President Jusuf Kalla asked Muslim militants to stop closing Christian churches after Christians complained that militants had shut 23 churches in recent weeks on the island of Java.
"It is the responsibility of all of us to stop such kind of violence," he told a gathering of Muslim leaders, urging them to promote tolerance.
Moderate Muslim leaders like former President Abdurrahman Wahid have urged the government to take stern action against militants involved in the incidents.
However, Security Minister Widodo Adisucipto denied that churches had been closed, saying only Christian congregations worshipping in private homes or halls without permits were affected.
Religious Minister Muhammad Maftuh Basyuni called on all faiths to honor a 1969 government decree requiring religious groups to get permission from local governments and residents before establishing places of worship.