Noted figures call for freedom of religion

Noted figures call for freedom of religion

The leader of the Ahmadiyah sect in Indonesia, Abdul Basyith
(right photo above), speaks during an event held to celebrate
former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's 65th birthday at
the latter's residence in Ciganjur, South Jakarta.

Figures from various religions, including Muslim scholars
Dawam Rahardjo and Syafii Anwar, and priest Anand Krishna,
attended the event on Thursday.

The event was marked by a joint statement calling on the
government to ensure freedom for people to practice their
religions and faiths, including the around 200,000 followers of
Ahmadiyah, whose teachings have been declared heretical by the
Indonesian Ulema Council.

"The government should seriously address the matter, which has
put our civilization at risk," the statement said.

They also urged the government to take action against those
who perpetrated violence against the Ahmadis and their property,
and the ulema council to revoke its edict as it had the potential
to incite further violence and disrupt national unity.

Earlier in the day, dozens of members of various youth and
Muslim groups sealed the offices of Ahmadiyah in Bogor after the
local government failed to do so. -- JP