It is quite bizarre that following a long series of orchestrated physical attacks on Ahmadis, including the forced removal from their houses, destruction of their mosques and homes, the best the government can come up with is to support the fascist actions of provincial governors in outlawing Ahmadiyah.
This speaks volumes about how the government have been captured by extremist elements. It also speaks volumes about how intolerant and violent fundamentalists are prepared to be, even in our Indonesia.
We should be concerned about this trend and where it is leading Indonesia. Other countries with a Muslim majority and a persistent Ahmadiyah minority have similarly allowed violent Islamic mobs to carry out bloody wars against Ahmadiyah — complete with repeated bombings.
But what followed in each case was that the extremist element then moved on to other infidel minorities and applied the same tactics — terrorism by any other name. You only need take note of what is happening in Pakistan to see the trend that I believe will eventually engulf Indonesia.
With a government that is prepared to turn a blind eye and even support the extremist element to eliminate their enemies, indeed all minorities need to be very concerned about their future.
The burning of churches and the harassment of local Christian communities may only be the beginning. Time is running out for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to demonstrate that his government is a government for all faiths and for all citizens and is prepared to protect the vulnerable.
Time is also running out for those moderate, peaceful and tolerant members of Islam to rein in their brothers who are showing the world their intolerance and preparedness to resort to violence directed at others who have personal beliefs different to theirs.
Does Indonesia really want to drift into becoming a theocratic authoritarian/fascist state like Iran?
If you value the future of freedom for your children, freedom in a tolerant democracy, then it is time to do something about preserving that future.
If you are an Ahmadi living in South Sulawesi your life will now be like that of Jews and Gypsies under the Nazis. You have already been stripped of your right to have your own beliefs — a fundamental human right.
There is a risk that eventually you will get the full fascist treatment and be asked to identify your house and to wear a large letter A on your clothing so that your persecution can be complete.
I am sorry that few in the community have spoken out to support you, for many are fearful that if they speak out publicly they also will be targeted by thugs.
I am not a follower of Ahmadiyah but I really regret that you have been let down by the central government and now by the governors. But really, the governors don’t care about you, only about having the extremists on their side. Politics rules, not principles.
Nairdah
Sydney
