Mahdi offers alternative faith<\/p>\n
Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu<\/p>\n
The hamlet of Salena is located about 11 kilometers west of Palu
\ncity on fertile land. The weather is cool and as night falls, the
\nmountainous region is shrouded with fog.<\/p>\n
But blood is running hot in this once-quiet place after
\nclashes between the local Mahdi religious sect and police erupted
\non Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Details are sketchy but the roots of the sect, led by a
\ncharismatic 27-year-old man they believe to be the last prophet,
\nimam Mahdi, are thought to lie in the traditions of the local
\nKaili tribe. The Kaili were earlier animists before converting to
\nIslam and Christianity but many have long mixed local traditions
\ninto their new faiths.<\/p>\n
A new stream of religion emerged a few years ago when Mahdi
\narrived in the area and won respect as a shaman and a healer who
\nblended Christian and Islamic tenets with local customs.<\/p>\n
Later, he preached to residents to leave Islam and
\nChristianity, calling their beliefs heretical and advising his
\nfollowers not to pray and perform the fast during Ramadhan or go
\nto church.<\/p>\n
Those who became his followers were given white head bands and
\nyellow shoulder sashes and now number a band of about 400 people.<\/p>\n
The rapid growth of the sect disturbed members of mainstream
\nreligious groups in the area. Believing the group could create
\ndisturbances in the area and fearing their religions would lose
\nconverts to the new sect, they reported the Mahdi followers to
\nthe police.<\/p>\n
Despite the Constitution granting the freedom to practice
\none's religion, the police tried to arrest Mahdi and take him in
\nfor questioning apparently on charges of spreading false beliefs.<\/p>\n
However, they were met with stiff resistance, leading into the
\ndeaths of five people -- three police officers and two Mahdi
\nfollowers.<\/p>\n
Disputes between traditional and modern forms of religion are
\nnot new in the country. In the 19th Century a similar struggle
\nbegan between the customary communities in Minangkabau, West
\nSumatra, and the Padri Islamic purists.<\/p>\n
Fighting was common between the two sides, with the Padri
\ncommunity attempting to convince Minangkabau traditionalists to
\nfollow the \"true spirit\" of the Koran and the Hadits and not to
\nblend traditional cultures with Islam. By the 20th Century, this
\nconflict had largely subsided.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mahdi-offers-alternative-faith-1447893297",
"image": ""
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