LBH Palembang supports Ahmadiyah ban

Khairul Saleh ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Palembang   |  Sat, 09/27/2008 12:00 PM  |  The Archipelago

The Legal Aid Institute's Palembang chapter has announced its support for a recent ban issued against the Ahmadiyah sect by the South Sumatra administration.

LBH Palembang director Eti Gustini said his organization's support was given following an agreement made with local Muslim organizations over the matter, in which the latter conveyed a letter of support to the LBH.

Both parties strongly opposed the intervention of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI), which is to file a lawsuit against the gubernatorial decree in the State Administrative Court (PTUN).

"Although we're under the auspices of the YLBHI, we're ready to obstruct the legal process they hope to start. We have agreed to unite against Ahmadiyah teachings in line with the joint ministerial decree," Eti said.

Leader of the provincial chapter of the Islamic Forum (FUI) Umar Said said Muslim organizations would support LBH's decision at all costs.

According to Umar, support has come not only from Muslim organizations across the province, but from the entire Muslim community, which deems Ahmadiyah teachings heretical.

His group is determined to defend the gubernatorial decree even if that means breaking the law, he said.

"Ahmadiyah is a deviant doctrine. It would be improper for the YLBHI to file a suit against the decree because if such tolerance existed, why were other heretical teachings banned? All Muslims must oppose the suit on the basis of our common faith," he said.

Head of the Indonesian Mujahidin Council's (MMI) South Sumatra chapter Arfan M. Alwi said Ahmadiyah teachings were a betrayal of Islam.

"The ban is the right thing to do. The Ahmadis have two choices: immediately repent to God or make a new name for their religion. Don't hitch onto Islam," he said.

Secretary of the local chapter of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Habib Mahdi Muhammad Syahab said the FPI remained firm in its opposition to the spread of Ahmadiyah teachings in Indonesia, especially in South Sumatra.

His group has reached consensus and is committed to resisting Ahmadiyah teachings in South Sumatra, he said, adding no one has been able to sow dissent among Muslim organizations in the province.

"We must disband Ahmadiyah despite the challenge involved in doing so," Habib said.

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