Prosecutor's Office studies Shi'ite ban

Prosecutor's Office studies Shi'ite ban

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Head of West Nusa Tenggara Prosecutor's Office Muchtar Arifin said on Monday that the office would study the Mataram mayor's decision to ban the spread of Shi'ite Islam in the municipality.

"The mayor has the authority to issue such a ban, but we have to see if this (particular) ban is against the law. If it is, the mayor must review his decision," he said.

Mayor Moh. Ruslan had issued a letter on June 2, banning the spread of the religious sect in the city in an effort to avoid a repeat of the incident in East Lombok and Sumbawa regencies, where Ahmadiyah sect followers were expelled and their houses burned after locals judged the teaching as straying from Islam.

Muchtar called on the citizens of Mataram to remain calm in responding to the letter. -- Antara