Members of the Ahmadiyah minority religious group voiced their appreciation of Yaqut’s recent statement that he would work to protect the rights of minority religious groups such as Ahmadiyah and Shia.

“That was daring and exemplary. We hope that he will be consistent and strong in facing various pressures because I am certain there will be many pressures,” JAI spokesman Yendra Budiana said on Friday, as reported by tempo.co.

He said that to ensure equal religious rights for all, the new minister should reconsider the 2008 joint ministerial decree on Ahmadiyah.

The decree bars followers from engaging in religious activities that are not in accordance with mainstream Islam and bans the proselytization of the creed.  

Yendra said the decree was often used by local authorities and mass organizations as a grounds to discriminate against Ahmadiyah congregations.

“The decree was made as a tool by several local heads to ban religious activities,” he said.

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