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Indonesians must speak up against persecution of Ahmadi to protect unity
A growing number of fringe groups in the West have argued that Islam is not compatible with a modern, pluralistic civilization
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growing number of fringe groups in the West have argued that Islam is not compatible with a modern, pluralistic civilization.
These groups support the 'clash of civilizations' rhetoric, arguing that an Islamic society simply cannot peacefully coexist with predominantly non-Muslim societies. The majority of Muslims, on the other hand, argue that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance, and that the Koran declares 'there is no compulsion in religion.'
This debate on whether Muslims can peacefully coexist with those of different faiths is precisely why the world looked optimistically to President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's leadership following the latest rogue action by the regent of Bangka, who threatened to force the conversion of all 29 Muslims of the minority Ahmadi sect or expel them from the island. I can only hope that Indonesia, a nation with the largest concentration of Muslims in the world, will lead the way. The world is watching, Islamophobia is rising, and the behavior of Indonesian Muslims is under scrutiny.
Members of the Ahmadi community in Bangka, most of whom are indigenous to the island, are waiting anxiously for their fate after having faced months of threats, harassment and intimidation from the local administration. The Ahmadiyah community preaches 'Love for all, hatred for none' and identifies as Muslim.
A delegation of Ahmadiyah in Indonesia have expressed their concerns to state representatives in Jakarta, stating that Ahmadi children in Bangka are being traumatized.
Indonesia prides itself on being a tolerant democracy, especially after the fall of Soeharto's regime in 1998. The national motto 'Bhinneka Tunggal Ika' (Unity in Diversity) is seen as essential for peaceful coexistence and pluralism.
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The government and the public have the choice to stand on the right side of history
Considering that Indonesia is home to hundreds of millions of people speaking thousands of different languages, comprising thousands of ethnic tribes, national unity is of absolute importance.
The state recognizes six official religions (Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism) and states that their members have the right to practice their faith freely.
Today's persecution of minorities therefore touches upon the question of who gets to determine who belongs in Indonesia.
The targeting of Ahmadis is ironic considering that the iconic figure WR Supratman ' an Ahmadi Muslim ' composed the country's anthem 'Indonesia Raya' and is considered a national hero.
Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono set a dangerous precedent of turning a blind eye to the rise of hard-line groups who have increasingly threatened Muslims of other sects such as Shiites and Ahmadis, as well as Christian minorities. It was Yudhoyono who in 2008 established a decree punishing Ahmadi Muslims with a maximum penalty of five years in prison for 'preaching and spreading' their teachings. Such policies have fueled vocal fringe hate groups such as the Islam Defenders Front (FPI).
It is thus unsurprising that the persecution of Ahmadis in Indonesia has increased, including the closure of at least 100 mosques as well as the gruesome murder of three Ahmadi in Cikeusik, Banten, by an extremist mob in 2011.
Zuhairi Misrawi, a figure from one of the largest Sunni Muslim organizations in Indonesia, Nahdlatul Ulama, has condemned the persecution of Ahmadis as anti-Islamic and as against Indonesian values of respecting diversity. A group of Muslim women has marched for freedom of religion. Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo has requested that the Bangka administration cancel the order to expel the Ahmadi families.
Protecting the human rights of others to practice their faith peacefully is essential to Islam and to Indonesian unity. The attack against Ahmadis is literally an attack against the unity of all Indonesians.
The government and the public have the choice to stand on the right side of history and uphold Islamic values by protecting the religious freedoms of minorities.
Moderate Indonesians of all faiths need to stand united and speak up to drown out the hate rhetoric of fringe extremists in Bangka and beyond.
After the recent attack by extremist Islamic State movement supporters at a crowded Jakarta junction, Indonesians can no longer afford to stay silent.
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The writer, a human rights activist, is a Pierre Eliot Trudeau doctoral scholar and a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto.
