Indonesia: Hardliners mob Ahmadiyah secretariat office in Makassar

Several people vandalized the address board in front of the office and set ablaze a poster of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who is recognized by some members of the Ahmadiyah congregation as their prophet.

(Photo: JP) Against the Ahmadis: Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) protesters
broke down a billboard in front of the Jamaah Ahmadiyah secretariat
office in Makassar on Saturday evening, demanding that members
 of the minority Islamic sect halt their "tainted" Islamic activities. (Antara)

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Post
By Andi Hajramurni | January 29, 2011

Dozens of men claiming to be members of the South Sulawesi Islam Defenders Front (FPI) mobbed the Ahmadiyah secretariat office on Jl. Anuang in Makassar on Saturday afternoon.

The group arrived at 5:15 p.m. and staged a rally in front of the office demanding the local administration take action to disband the sect.

Several people vandalized the address board in front of the office and set ablaze a poster of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who is recognized by some members of the Ahmadiyah congregation as their prophet.

Dozens of police officers were reportedly deployed to safeguard the office.

The group left the vicinity at 6:15 p.m., but threatened to return later Saturday evening if the administration ignored their protest.


Police officers led by South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen. Johny Wainal Usman attempted to evacuate some Ahmadiyah members from the mosque next to the office to prevent clashes, but the Ahmadiyah congregation refused to leave.

Ahmadiyah caretaker Jamaluddin said the FPI had no grounds for attempting to disburse them.

“We will stay here because this is our home. We don’t have a problem with the FPI or any other groups. So, we fear nothing,” he said.

Around 50 Ahmadiyah members were still inside the mosque Saturday evening.



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