Vento Saudale, Bogor – The Bogor police will continue deploying personnel to safeguard a controversial church and a nearby street where the congregation has held Sunday services since the city government sealed the church building.

While the dispute shows little sign of resolution, a local community leader has urged Muslims to tap into the religion's peaceful nature to end the conflict amicably.

The security presence at GKI Yasmin church was established after the national Ombudsman last month ruled against Bogor Mayor Diani Budiarto, ordering him to annul his decision to revoke the church's building permit. The Ombudsman gave the city administration 60 days to reopen the church, based on a Supreme Court ruling.

"We will continue safeguarding the areas around the church and Jalan Abdullah bin Nuh until the city government respond to the Ombudsman's recommendation," said Bogor police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Hilman.

The security presence was meant to prevent clashes between the congregation and local residents who opposed the service being held on the sidewalk, he said. "We can't take any risk and I will make sure the order is honored," he said.

Budiarto revoked the building permit for the second time in March, arguing that the congregation falsified signatures to obtain it, despite the court ruling in December 2010 that the church should be allowed to reopen.

Local cleric Muhammad Mustofa, whose father is the street's namesake, said he has no objection to the church.

"It's no problem for the family if the church is built on the street," Mustofa said. He added that Islam was a religion that promoted peace, differences between religions were not new and similar problems have occurred since the time of the Prophet Mohammad.

"Mecca is an example of pluralism during the prophet's time. Every problem has its solution and hopefully the problem [surrounding the church] will be settled immediately," he said.

Sinta Nuriyah Wahid, the widow of former president Abdurrahman Wahid, has said previously that Ramadan should provide a favorable environment for all parties to sit together and reach a peaceful resolution to the protracted legal battle about the church's existence.

"When observing the fast, we should be calm and cool in dealing with differences," Sinta said at the Al Ghazali Islamic boarding school in Bogor. "The central government must take part in settling the case. The law should not be made a joke."