Don't isolate Arqam followers

PEKANBARU, Riau: The local chapter of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has appealed to the public not to isolate the members of the Al Arqam Islamic movement which has been outlawed in the province.

MUI Riau chairman Hamid Sulaiman said the public should try to counsel and guide the Arqam followers in Riau and "bring them onto the right path," the Antara news agency said.

The council in Riau is prepared to provide them with guidance, "if they show good intentions," Hamid said.

He disclosed that the MUI approached the local Arqam leaders five times before the movement was outlawed last month. The dialogs failed to bridge the differences, he said.

Riau was one of the first provinces in Indonesia to outlaw Arqam. The council believes Arqam's teachings deviate from Islamic principles. (emb)