BEKASI, Indonesia: Indonesian police fired tear gas to disperse hardline Muslims protesting against the construction of a Catholic church in a satellite city of the capital Jakarta.
Several hundred protesters from a group called Forum for Bekasi Muslim Friendship demonstrated in front of the Santa Clara church in Kaliabang, a neighborhood of Bekasi city, after Friday prayers.
Witnesses said police fired tear gas as the protesters tried to force their way into the church, which has been under construction since Nov. Some also threw rocks and bottles into the 6,500-square-meter site.
Ismail Ibrahim, a cleric and organiser of the protest, said they will not disperse until authorities met their demand to cancel the church's construction permit. -- AP