Banyumas Islam sect banned

Banyumas Islam sect banned

BANYUMAS, Central Java (JP): The local government has banned an Islamic sect that is believed responsible for the disappearance of 11 of its member families.

The local prosecutor's office said in its decree banning the Islam Sejati, or "Pure Islam", that the sect's teachings may "threaten national unity."

Islam Sejati, according to Abdul Gafar Kamba, chief of the local prosecutor's office, believes that someone can have their sins forgiven by God simply by giving its leader Rp 250,000 (about US$113) in cash.

"This is obvious deception," Gafar was quoted as saying by Antara, which did not name the sect leader.

The sect also teaches its members that the holy Koran does not need not be practiced and that, instead, it is enough just to "understand" it. It also encourages them to exchange wives.

In its politics teachings, it is stated that the red-white national flag can be replaced any time, Gafar said on Saturday.

"Such misleading dogma will undoubtedly destroy the peaceful co-existence of citizens from different religious backgrounds," he said.

The Central Java provincial prosecutors office has ordered Banyumas authorities to track down 11 of the 35 sect families that reportedly went missing after a sect ritual.

Banyumas authorities have threatened to take tough action against sect members who defy the ban, which has been strongly supported by the local chapter of the Indonesian Ulemas Council. (pan)