Govt mulls ban on Ahmadiyah due to 'permit violation'
Govt mulls ban on Ahmadiyah due to 'permit violation'
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The government is considering a ban against Ahmadiyah as an
organization in the country, saying it has sparked public
disorder.
Attorney General Abdul Rachman Saleh said on Wednesday
Ahmadiyah had violated its founding permit that prohibits it from
spreading its teaching for fear of triggering disorder among
Indonesian Muslims.
"Our main concern is public order. We don't care about the
content," he said.
If the ban materializes, Ahmadiyah will join the Indonesian
Communist Party (PKI) as an outlawed organization. The PKI and
Marxism-Leninism were banned in 1966 following an abortive coup
attempt blamed on the party, then among the largest four in the
country.
The Attorney General's Office has the authority to ban, among
others, organizations, teachings and books considered to be
disruptive to public order.
Abdul Rachman said he would consult with Minister of Religious
Affairs M. Maftuh Basyuni before announcing a ban against
Ahmadiyah.
Last week, some 10,000 members of the "Indonesian Muslim
Solidarity" attacked Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI)
buildings in Bogor, West Java for allegedly spreading its
teaching. Police have not arrested anyone in relation to the
violent attack.
The violence has sparked fears of possible attacks on other
Ahmadiyah members across the country. Ahmadiyah has some 200,000
followers, and was first established in Indonesia in 1925.
Muslim leaders, including from mainstream organizations such
as Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama, have condemned the attack.
They have said differences in faith should not be resolved
through violence.
The government recognized Ahmadiyah as a corporate body in
1953. But in 1984 the Ministry of Religious Affairs issued a
circular to its regional offices to consider Ahmadiyah teachings
as heresy, as it recognizes its founder Mirza Gulam Ahmad as a
prophet. Muslims believe Muhammad is the last prophet.
The Indonesian Ulema Council has issued a fatwa that forbids
Ahmadiyah teaching after studying nine books on the matter.
However, JAI says it does not recognize the books.
In Yogyakarta, an Ahmadiyah preacher Ahmad Ma'sum Kanz denied
allegations that its teachings were heresy.
He told Antara that Ahmadiyah followers believe in the Koran,
Hadith and Prophet Muhammad's teachings like other Muslims.
"We share what Muslims across the world believe and practice.
What makes us different is that we believe that God's revelation
has not ended and can be transferred to ordinary people like
Mirza Gulam Ahmad," he said.