I refer to the article titled “Ahmadiyah followers in Lombok to be relocated,” (Oct. 11).

I hope the West Lombok administration will deal with the issue apolitically and disregard the prevalent anti-Ahmadiyah views. It is the duty of the Indonesian government to protect the lives of Ahmadis all over Indonesia.

This includes measures to deal sternly with lawless protests, rioting, and violence against Ahmadiyah community members. Reading the history of Islam in Indonesia I find it ironic that a people converted by the peaceful propagation of Islam several centuries ago now resort to violence to stop Ahmadiyah community members from observing their faith.

Although the majority of Indonesians are peaceful, law-abiding citizens, and ready to stand for justice and peace in society, there is a small minority of extremists who still sow the seeds of hatred.

Ahmadis are not a new phenomenon in Indonesia; they have been living peacefully for nearly 80 years in this country. What is happening now to call for this kind of mean behavior by citizens to kick them out of their homes? It is the spread of extremism.

If this extremism is not dealt with firmly it will destroy the social fabric of Indonesian society completely. History is unfolding yet again and will not wait for politicians to take a long time making the right decision.

 Chaos takes root faster than order.

Mirza Imran A. Karim
Sydney

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