'Differences do not justify violence'<\/p>\n
The attack on the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI) in
\nParung, Bogor, by a mob earlier this month, has raised the issue
\nof freedom of religion which has become even more prominent after
\nthe authorities banned the movement. The Jakarta Post asked Nanda
\nand Dini for their thoughts on the issue.<\/p>\n
Nanda, 27, is an employee of a bank in Jakarta. She lives with
\nher aunt in Bintaro, West Java:<\/p>\n
I am a Muslim, and I believe that Prophet Muhammad is the last
\nprophet. So, if Ahmadiyah believes that the last prophet is
\nanother prophet then they are clearly on the wrong track.<\/p>\n
However, what they believe doesn't give me justification for
\nattacking them. We always condemn Israel for attacking Palestine.
\nAfter what we have done to Ahmadiyah, a minority group in Islam,
\nwe are just the same as Israel.<\/p>\n
Muslims' image has been deteriorating because of bombing cases
\nin several countries. Please do not make it worse by using force
\nto achieve an objective.<\/p>\n
Dini, 26, is an employee at a non-governmental organization in
\nJakarta. She lives with her mother in Jatinegara, West Jakarta:<\/p>\n
The attack makes me sad. It seems that we, Muslims, can only
\nresolve matters by using violence. Can't we just use diplomacy or
\ninfluence to try to achieve something? After all, most of the
\ncountry's big-time politicians and bureaucrats are Muslims.<\/p>\n
The time for using violence has passed. Now it is time to do
\nsomething peacefully if we want to get wider support from the
\npublic. Remember, violent acts will not have support of the
\npublic.<\/p>\n
Besides, as civilized people, Muslims must give Ahmadiyah the
\nchance to defend themselves. The Prophet Muhammad has given us an
\nexample to always be fair to all groups, Muslim or non-Muslim.<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/differences-do-not-justify-violence-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }