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crowd of around 150 people from various Islamic organizations, including local residents, reportedly vandalized on Friday the only mosque left for Ahmadiyah followers in Singaparna, Tasikmalaya, still used to hold their prayers.

The attack was reported to have taken place around 10 a.m.

Ahmadis Enda Juanda said the situation was tense from around 9 a.m. as the crowd began to assemble and some began wearing white and green robes.

“They shouted and yelled, but only at the start, before they eventually started throwing rocks, shattering glass windows, and breaking into the mosque,” Enda told The Jakarta Post by phone.

Enda was inside the mosque with fellow Ahmadis Didi, while around 25 others were watching the attack from outside the mosque.

He said the crowd burned carpets and praying mats. He fled with Didi when the attackers tried to chase them.

“I knew I had to save my life. I’m sure there is nothing wrong with my faith,” said Enda.

Tasikmalaya chapter Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI) spokesman Budi Badrussalam claimed the attackers had tossed three Molotov cocktails at the mosque, which burned the carpets and mats. However, the fire did not flare up because it was immediately doused by officers from the village and district administrative offices.

He regretted that police and many local village and district officers only stood still as they watched the anarchic acts.

“The mosque is considered a historical building, as it was built in 1920 and is listed in the archives of historical buildings by the Historical Heritage and Preservation Center,” said Budi.

Despite the damage, around 80 male and female Ahmadis performed Friday prayers at the mosque, as a symbol of their resistance, because the other Mahmud Mosque can no longer be used after being vandalized by another mob riot a few years ago.

Budi said the crowd had erroneously interpreted the joint decree on Ahmadiyah. They perceived that Ahmadis are not allowed to worship, but they are also not allowed to spread their teachings to others.

In response to the anarchy, Tasikmalaya chapter FPI spokeman Acep Sofyan denied that the FPI was involved in the incident as an organization. He said it was carried out by joint groupings of Islamic organizations, local residents and Islamic boarding schools, in the area where people were still angry because the mosque was being used by Ahmadis to perform prayers.

The mosque was sealed twice by district officers, but the Ahmadis broke the seal and carried out their activities, he said.

“The closure was not by the FPI, but Singaparna district officers, the local village chief and religious office based on the aspirations of the community. They are stubborn and don’t want to mix with other Muslims in other mosques, so residents took action on their own will,” said Acep.

The incident was the second attack on an Ahmadiyah mosque, with the first taking place in January and leaving a mosque seriously damaged.

Tasikmalaya Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Gupuh Setiyono denied police had ignored acts of vandalism. He said that the previous day the police had instead attempted a mediation approach between local residents and Ahmadiyah leaders.