Vice President Jusuf Kalla said Thursday the joint ministerial decree prohibiting Ahmadiyah followers from carrying out religious activities was an appropriate measure.

Speaking at a visit to the Syeh Zainuddin Nadhlatul Wathan (NW) Islamic boarding school in East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Kalla said the decision both catered to the demands of mainstream Muslims in the country, and disapproved of violence against the sect's members.

"Should there be any teachings incongruous to mainstream Islam, our job is to provide religious guidance and avoid violence, because this is not the Stone Age," he said.

"It is the duty of all Muslims to make our brothers realize the truth and return to the folds of true Islamic teaching."

Kalla said if efforts to proselytize Ahmadis failed, the government would seek other legal options to assimilate the group.

"True Islamic teaching doesn't condone violence. We have to imitate the Prophet's proselytizing methods, especially since it's easier now because of mass media, such as newspapers and television," he said.

Kalla praised NW members for not resorting to violence against Ahmadiyah and for being "perceptive" throughout the controversy. It was the NW who initially raised objections to Ahmadiyah's beliefs and principles by saying the group had tainted Islam's image.

Ummi Raihanun Zam, caretaker of the Syeh Zainuddin school, said she approved of the government's stance in the issue.

"According to NW, Ahmadiyah is an insult and a defamation against true Islamic teaching, and it should not be included in any discussion of religious freedom. So we are very thankful to the government for issuing the decree," she said.

She added NW members in the province would not use force to "remind Ahmadis they are in the wrong".

In Kalla's native Makassar, Ahmadiyah members have expressed defiance of the decree.

"No matter what the situation, we will always act according to God's wishes and follow the Prophet's sunnah (deeds) without being influenced by the decree," said Saleh Ahmady, head of Ahmadiyah's South Sulawesi chapter.

There are about 3,000 Ahmadis in the region, most of whom continue to carry out regular activities without interruption. Saleh said this was because the people of South Sulawesi were more tolerant of religious differences than those in other provinces.

"Our country is based on the principle of Pancasila, which guarantees religious freedom. Demands to ban Ahmadiyah are clearly against Pancasila," he said.

Makassar Mayor Ilham Arif Sirajuddin said the municipality had yet to receive clarification from the government on what the prohibitions against Ahmadiyah entailed.

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