I would like to comment on your article "Ahmadiyah refugees kept in misery, seek Jakarta help". You wrote that the Ministry of Religious Affairs had issue a circular in 2004, branding Ahmadiyah teachings as "heresy" based on its belief that its founder, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, was a prophet (after Muhammad), (The Jakarta Post, June 9, 2009)
First, there is no single person or any organization or any department or any House of Representatives given the authority by God to declare such-and-such sect as heresy or misleading. Not even the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, who never used the term in his life. Therefore, the ulema must stop doing so and their so-called "edict" must be considered as a mere opinion, which may be right or wrong.
Second, being a minority in number is not automatically proof that you are wrong. For example, one could not say that the scientists are wrong or heretical because of their being a minority in number and their knowledge beyond the reach of common people's understanding.
All sane people would agree; although the number of scientists is a small, their claims must be accepted as long as their arguments are strong and logical. Therefore, in the case of Ahmadiyah belief, as long as it is logical and reasonable, sooner or later it will be accepted, though at present the majority may reject it.
Third, belief in the coming of a prophet after Muhammad SAW, either in the form of a new person or a former prophet reappearing, is a part of Muslim belief. Therefore, one should not brand any person or organization as "heretical" because of that belief.
Should the Religious Affairs Ministry brand Ahmadiyah as "heresy" based on its belief there will be a prophet after Muhammad, which they believe to be Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, then all Muslims should be branded as heretical, because they share the same belief in the re-advent of Prophet Isa after the Prophet Muhammad.
Fourth, I observe that the Post tends to cite the "majority" opinion on Ahmadiyah, especially when discussing its beliefs, rather than helping them freely express themselves and guaranteeing the freedom of expression.
Let me quote statement of the spiritual head of the Ahmadiyah International Community, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, on the mounting opposition to Ahmadiyah in Indonesia.
He says, "If their government exhibits cowardice and puts restrictions on them, let it do so. This will only end in a manifestation of pure people for the world to behold. The history of the community bears witness that each and every impediment placed in its way has worked as an impetus for a higher flight.
Indeed we declare that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani is the Messiah and the Mahdi about whom the Holy Prophet *peace and blessings of Allah be on him* had prophesied. By coming into the subordination of the Holy Prophet, Allah gave him the status of a non-law bearing prophet."
Abdul Mukhlis
Jakarta
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