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