Mayor uses security as excuse to ban Ahmadiyah

Yuli Tri Suwarni ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Bandung   |  Fri, 05/16/2008 12:49 PM  |  The Archipelago

AHMADIYAH PRECAUTION: A banner hanging outside an Ahmadiyah mosque in Cimahi, West Java, says the group will cease all activities until the government decides whether to legalize it. The move was taken to prevent locals from targeting the group’s property or followers.

Cimahi Mayor Itoc Tochiya on Thursday defended his decision to ban the Islamic sect Ahmadiyah from congregating, saying he acted in the interests of security.

He said the ban was issued in order to maintain a peaceful atmosphere in the municipality following increased public protests against the group and its activities.

The ban on the group's activities, he said, should be viewed as a protective measure for Ahmadiyah members, since the group's teachings clashed with that of the majority of Muslims and could thus spark public disorder.

"Don't look at it from the religious tolerance aspect. We must maintain security in this city. If they were allowed to continue with their activities here, it could lead to anarchy," Itoc told The Jakarta Post in Cimahi.

He said complaints against the group, mostly from Muslims, stemmed from a difference in belief. Ahmadis believe Mirza Ghulam Ahmad to be the last prophet of Islam, while the majority of Muslims believe Muhammad was the last prophet.

Itoc said these opposing beliefs have led to deep divisions between the two groups. Ahmadiyah members have reportedly been evicted from several areas by mobs of mainstream Muslims.

"We have asked Ahmadiyah followers to explain themselves to the public at the local military command, but they didn't turn up. We fear disgruntled residents will resort to anarchy and disrupt public order," he said.

To effect the ban, Itoc said six Ahmadiyah mosques were cordoned off to prevent the group's members congregating, and the mosques' signboards were taken down.

"We have notified them of this," Itoc said.

He said he was prepared for any legal action by the Ahmadiyah in the wake of the ban, which he would revise only if the government issued a joint order from three ministers legalizing the group.

"We are not dissolving Ahmadiyah, only urging them not to engage in activities that could provoke unrest. They are welcome to mount a legal challenge. I enacted the order with the full support of the Indonesian Ulema Council, the police, the prosecutor's office and the military," said Itoc.

He said the local chapter of the Coordinating Board for the Supervision of Mystical Beliefs in Society (Bakor Pakem) had recommended the sect be banned on Nov. 28 last year.

He denied the decision was made to appease the government or special interest groups.

An Ahmadiyah mosque on Jl. Kolonel Masturi in Cimahi was empty on Thursday. A local resident, Herman, 26, said people rarely congregated there other than for Friday prayers.

"The congregation is small, not like at other mosques," he said.

To avoid mob violence, Ahmadiyah authorities put up banners saying they would abide by the mayor's order and not congregate, pending an official decision on their status from the government.

Mochammad Rafii, spokesman for the Cimahi chapter of Ahmadiyah, said the municipality's actions were regrettable.

He said, "They should clarify the prohibitions. Is praying as a congregation prohibited? Prayer is communication between people and God. Is that a crime?"

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