Indonesian govt wipes its hands of Ahmadiyah 'problem'

Human rights activist Todung Mulya Lubis said local bans against Ahmadis would be seen as "a license to kill". The regulations could justify violence by hardliners against the persecuted group.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: Yahoo News | Asian NewsNetwork
By ANN | March 8, 2011

Jakarta (The Jakarta Post/ANN) - In response to calls from leaders of the country's largest Muslim groups to ban Ahmadiyah, the Indonesian government has said it had done its part in dealing with the religious minority and that it was up to each region to decide on the issue.

The country's two largest Islamic organizations, Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), urged the government to take strong action against Ahmadiyah, which they say deviated from orthodox Islam and should be banned from declaring itself a part of the faith.


After a meeting with Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi last Friday, Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin was quoted by Antara that the government should not stand aside when a group or organization spread teachings insulting Muslims.

Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam has dismissed Din's statement, saying the Muslim leader was barking up the wrong tree. He argued that the government had issued a 2008 joint-ministerial decree to address the Ahmadiyah "problem" and that it was up to leaders in the regions to enforce the regulation.

"[Regional administrations] know their areas and they are responsible for safeguarding the harmonious lives of their people," he was quoted as saying by Antara.

Calling Din and Catholic priest Benni Susetyo, who defended the Ahmadis, "black crows", Dipo said religious leaders should not politicize the Ahmadiyah issue and exacerbate the problem as it would trigger conflict.

The persecution of the Ahmadis escalated after several local administrations issued local decrees to ban possibly the most persecuted group in the country's history.

Samarinda Mayor Syaharie Jaang in East Kalimantan banned the local branch of Ahmadiyah, claiming his move was part of the mandate of the government decree last month.

East Java Governor Soekarwo also issued a decree banning Ahmadis from conducting any religious activities. Similar regulations have also been issued by leaders in other provinces, cities and regencies across the state. Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo said his administration was mulling a ban on Ahmadiyah.

The body of an Ahmadi in Bandung was found last week after his grave was allegedly dug up shortly after his funeral. The incident took place shortly after West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan outlawed the sect.

Human rights activist Todung Mulya Lubis said local bans against Ahmadis would be seen as "a license to kill". The regulations could justify violence by hardliners against the persecuted group, he argued.

"It is regrettable what the East Java governor has done. Many other local leaders may soon follow suit. Violence against minorities will worsen," he said.

He also lambasted Muhammadiyah and NU for supporting a ban on Ahmadiyah. "They should not have exacerbated the situation. Banning Ahmadiyah instills fear in other religious minorities."

In a statement, the US Embassy in Jakarta has said the regulations restricting religious freedom were damaging Indonesia's international reputation as a democracy with a tradition of tolerance and a commitment to protecting the freedoms of all its citizens.

"We support the overwhelming majority of Indonesians who abhor religious violence and support tolerance. Laws should protect citizens from violence rather than restrict their rights."

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