Indonesia violates rights of Ahmadi Muslims

This is the same Indonesia President Obama lauded as a tolerant country, similar to the United States in that both are “bound together by shared interests and shared values.”

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Daily Times | delcotimes.com
By Wajeeha Choudhary | February 14, 2011

To the Times:

February 6, three Ahmadi Muslims in Indonesia were brutally murdered for their faith by a rampaging mob of 1,000. The mob attacked the community’s local center in Cikeusik, which was poorly protected by police despite forewarning of an attack days before the incident.

This is the same Indonesia whose constitution reads, “The State guarantees all persons the freedom of worship, each according to his/her own religion or belief.”


This is the same Indonesia President Obama lauded as a tolerant country, similar to the United States in that both are “bound together by shared interests and shared values.”

Rhetoric aside, Indonesia’s actions tell a different story. In June 2008, the Indonesian government disallowed the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community from proselytizing, violations of which result in up to five years in prison. The Religious Affairs Minister of Indonesia has repeatedly called for the banning of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community since August 2010, a statement which the Indonesian president has yet to repudiate.

Such government sanctions against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community incite the very violence that occurred on Feb. 6. Despite these blatant acts of brutality, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has remained steadfast in its peaceful resistance and prayers.

We as Americans have an obligation to our fellow humans who do are denied basic, unalienable rights. American Ambassador to Indonesia Scot Marciel recently took the first step in “deploring the violence in Indonesia directed at members of the Ahmadiyah community.”

Americans should urge our government to take the next step and call on Indonesia to repeal its decree against Ahmadi Muslims. Violation of one person’s human rights is a violation of all.


WAJEEHA CHOUDHARY


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