In a decision that not only upholds the Constitution but also sends a strong message to all Indonesians, the Supreme Court has struck down the Bogor administration's request to uphold the revocation of a building permit for a local Christian church.

The right to worship is enshrined in the Constitution and with this decision, it is hopefully now enshrined in the country's social fabric. We applaud the court's brave decision despite the pressure exerted by fringe fundamentalist groups.

Indonesian Christian Church (GKI Yasmin) has been holding its services on the sidewalk in front of its half-constructed church for the past year. The site was sealed for much of 2010 after years of wrangling with the city administration, which revoked its building permit in February 2008.

In June 2009, the church won a court appeal filed against the revocation, with the State Administrative Court ordering municipal authorities to put an end to the closure of the building site.

But the Bogor administration refused to comply, sealed the site again in March 2010 and said it would stay closed until the case was reviewed by the Supreme Court.

This decision reflects the country's maturing democracy and the court's role in strengthening that democracy. It is critical that both the judiciary as well as the administrative arms of the government perform their duties independently and impartially if the people and the nation are to benefit from democracy.

Religious freedom has come under strong and sustained attack in recent years. Hard-line groups have been allowed to ride roughshod over and intimidate minorities. The court's decision will hopefully send a strong signal that no group can violate the Constitution with impunity.

The Bogor administration must now allow the church to build its place of worship without delay. The Supreme Court verdict is binding and is the last word on the case. There is no excuse for the city not to comply.

This sad situation has dragged on for far too long. We have seen how the congregation has had to worship on the side of the road, even on Christmas, and sometimes to the jeers of a vociferous crowd of protesters kept at bay by police personnel.

This ridiculous situation should, and must, now be put to rest.

Indonesia can only be a great nation if all Indonesians feel that they are treated equally under the law. That they have the right to free speech and freedom of worship in accordance with their faith. The very same freedoms that our Constitution guarantees.

The Supreme Court has set down a precedent on how it views these critical issues. The government must follow its lead and provide the protection that all minority groups rightfully deserve.