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MUI bans Naqsabandiyah as `heretical' Islamic sect
Yet another minority Islamic group has come under attack from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the country's "highest" Islamic authority officially sanctioned by the government
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et another minority Islamic group has come under attack from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the country's "highest" Islamic authority officially sanctioned by the government.
The MUI had banned several other minority groups, including the Jamaah Ahmadiyah, Al-Qiyadah Al-Islamiyah and the Kingdom of Eden, for teaching and spreading "defiant" brands of Islam.
A similar ban has now been imposed on Naqsabandiyah, a sect embraced by residents of Air Batu village in Merangin regency, Jambi.
The MUI's Merangin branch claimed the Naqsabandiyah was a "defiant" sect because it did not call for the five daily prayers.
The council also ordered the sect to stop its religious activities and warned its top leader, Ali Wardana, against coming to the village.
Merangin MUI chairman Buya Satar Saleh said the MUI would soon officially issue a fatwa or edict against Naqsabandiyah teachings.
The move came after dozens of complaints from other local Muslims against the sect.
The MUI said residents had complained about 20 points in Naqsabandiyah's teachings, including tenets that God had a son, angels did not exist, and the five daily prayers were no longer being mandatory for those with "perfect faith".
"There's no doubt the 20 Naqsabandiyah tenets taught in Air Batu village and reported by local residents are heretical and must be stopped immediately," Buya said.
He urged law enforcers to take tough measures if Naqsabandiyah followers persisted in their practice.
He added the Naqsabandiyah was among 42 similar sects growing and spreading in the predominantly Muslim country. He said problems would rise if people misunderstood such teachings.
Local Muslim leader Abi Wakas also condemned the Naqsabandiyah, saying what it had taught its followers was "against Islam".
Naqsabandiyah follower Ibnul Khotob denied the claims: "What we learn is not what they think.
"We'll have to consider whether to stop. We'll report to our spiritual leader, Ali Wardana," he said.
"Right now, we can't give any answers pertaining to the request to stop our activities", said fellow Naqsabandiyah follower Suherman.
