'Differences do not justify violence'

The attack on the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI) in Parung, Bogor, by a mob earlier this month, has raised the issue of freedom of religion which has become even more prominent after the authorities banned the movement. The Jakarta Post asked Nanda and Dini for their thoughts on the issue.

Nanda, 27, is an employee of a bank in Jakarta. She lives with her aunt in Bintaro, West Java:

I am a Muslim, and I believe that Prophet Muhammad is the last prophet. So, if Ahmadiyah believes that the last prophet is another prophet then they are clearly on the wrong track.

However, what they believe doesn't give me justification for attacking them. We always condemn Israel for attacking Palestine. After what we have done to Ahmadiyah, a minority group in Islam, we are just the same as Israel.

Muslims' image has been deteriorating because of bombing cases in several countries. Please do not make it worse by using force to achieve an objective.

Dini, 26, is an employee at a non-governmental organization in Jakarta. She lives with her mother in Jatinegara, West Jakarta:

The attack makes me sad. It seems that we, Muslims, can only resolve matters by using violence. Can't we just use diplomacy or influence to try to achieve something? After all, most of the country's big-time politicians and bureaucrats are Muslims.

The time for using violence has passed. Now it is time to do something peacefully if we want to get wider support from the public. Remember, violent acts will not have support of the public.

Besides, as civilized people, Muslims must give Ahmadiyah the chance to defend themselves. The Prophet Muhammad has given us an example to always be fair to all groups, Muslim or non-Muslim.

-- The Jakarta Post