Devoutly Islamic Indonesian province expels 3 Americans on suspicion they were proselytizing
By APWednesday, July 21, 2010
Devout Muslim Indonesian province expels US family
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia — Three Americans were expelled from Indonesia’s devoutly Islamic province of Aceh on Wednesday after locals accused them of trying to convert Muslims to Christianity, a local government spokesman said.
Immigration officials, however, said no decision has been made on whether Robin Kay Jordan, his wife Kelly and their daughter Claire would be deported. Proselytizing is illegal in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation.
The Jordans, charity workers from California, were forced from their rented house in West Aceh district and transferred to the immigration office in the neighboring province of North Sumatra, said Mulyagus, district spokesman.
“They allegedly have a mission to spread Christianity,” said Mulyagus, who uses only one name, like many Indonesians. “Therefore we expelled and banned them from entering West Aceh.”
He added that they were kicked out for their own safety following rumors that the family converted three Muslims in the district to Christianity.
The Jordans could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. The phone rang unanswered at the U.S. consulate in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra.
While most of Indonesia’s 237 million Muslims practice a moderate form of the faith, the West Aceh district is known for its strict enforcement of Islamic values. In May, authorities began banning Muslim women from wearing tight pants.
