Indonesia protesters torch mosque of 'heretical' Muslim sect

The Associated Press ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 04/28/2008 3:30 PM  |  Headlines

Hundreds of protesters chanting "kill, kill" set fire to a mosque belonging to a Muslim sect that
they claim is heretical, while alls mounted for the group to be formally banned.

No one was injured in Monday's early morning blaze, said national police spokesman Maj. Gen. Abubakar Nataprawira. Several suspects were taken in for questioning.

The attack was the latest targeting the Ahmadiyah sect in Indonesia, the world's most poplous Muslim nation. Hard-liners claim the sect, founded at the end of the 19th century in Pakistan, was devised by British colonialists to divide Muslims.

Last week, a team of prosecutors, religious scholars and government officials said the sect "had deviated from Islamic principles" and recommended ite outlawed. There have been several acts of vandalism targeting Ahmadiyah since then.

About 300 people torched a mosque and destroyed an Islamic school building inside the Ahmadiyah compound in Sukabumi, a town in West Java province, just after midnight Monday. Many sect members have since fled the area, seeking refuge with friends and relatives nearby.

"We heard the attackers chanting 'burn, burn' and 'kill, kill,"' said Zaki Firdaus, one of the sect's members. "It was horrifying."

Indonesia is a secular country with a long history of religious tolerance. But in recent years a hard-line fringe has grown louder and the government - which relies on the support of Islamic parties in Parliament - has been accused of caving to it.

Ahmadiyah, believed to have 200,000 followers in Indonesia, has also faced persecution in other Muslim countries. Its followers insist it should be considered part of Islam. (**)

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Abdu al-Haq (not verified) — Tue, 04/29/2008 - 11:15am

The MUI is a non-representative, non-elected body established by the Suharto regime. It syphons state funds whilst making huge sums through the issuing of halal labels, and panders to violent and militant groups. Why should its edicts be the basis for national law? That the fatwa could be used as the legitimation for such criminal violence, and that some could seek to justify it is a disgrace. Rule of law must prevail, not the rule of self-appointed religious police.

Taymoor Khan (not verified) — Tue, 04/29/2008 - 9:31am

This act of terrorism by these fundamentalist so called "Mainstream Muslim" terrorists against innocent members of the Ahmadiyya community, is an extremely sad event. The torching of the Ahmadiyya mosque by these fundamentalist terrorists should not be taken lightly. No one has the right to declare any sect heretical. These terrorists who have terrorized this innocent minority community and have burned down their mosque, should be arrested and put to death.

Mansoor Malik (not verified) — Tue, 04/29/2008 - 9:03am

Indonesia was seen as multi-cultural and tolerant society across the world. But the rect events agianst the Ahmadiyya sect are shocking. They threaten the very fabric of Indonesian society, as the hardliners won't stop at this tiny sect. This hatred will grow to other minority groups and Hindus. Indonesians must uphold the religious freedom embedded in their culture and constitution. The perpetrators against Ahmadies should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Dr Boodhun/ Newfoundland - canada (not verified) — Tue, 04/29/2008 - 1:49am

Is one tsunami not enough?

Shahid (not verified) — Tue, 04/29/2008 - 12:57am

A dark day in the history of Neo Muslim Indonesia, followers of Islam. Islam which is considered as a religion of peace. Honestly Muslims have forgotten the true meaning of Islam long ago and still living in medieval era when tolerance towards other thoughts were considered blasphemy and diversion.
Sham on you FANATICS. You just know how to kill others who don’t agree with your belief system.

Dr Boodhun/ Newfoundland - canada (not verified) — Tue, 04/29/2008 - 12:20am

What type of example is this? I am sure that this act of religious terrorism does not reflect the noble values of the people of Indonesia. What does Allah say in the Holy Quran regarding places of worship?

"Those who have been driven out from their homes unjustly, only because they said, 'Our Lord is Allah.' And if Allah had not repelled some people by means of others, cloisters and churches and synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is oft remembered, would surely have been destroyed. And Allah will, surely, help him who helps Him. Allah is, indeed, Powerful, Mighty" (Al-Hajj Chapter 22 : Verse 41)

The government of Indonesia should not play in the hands of a few extremists. Remember majority in one country is sometimes a minority in another country. I hope the country that signed the 1948 declaration on Human Rights will pay attention.

Dony Adriansyah (UKM'sia) (not verified) — Mon, 04/28/2008 - 5:29pm

That's the impact of our goverment slow motion. Actually, the Indonesian Ulama' Council (MUI) has been long to issue its fatwa (decision by Moeslem clerics) to ban the Jamaah Ahmadiyah. Based on the MUI research or investigation then, the sect is deviant to two Islamic sources of teachings, i.e. Holy Qur'an and Hadits of Prophet Muhammad shalallahu 'alaihi wasallam (which are still original). So, the sect MUST BE BANNED. It's important to protect our 'aqeedah' (believe) to the straight path according the two sources. Unfortunately, our government hesitates to execute them.

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