A formal banning of the unorthodox Muslim sect Jamaah Ahmadiyah becomes more likely.

A Step Closer

Team Pakem (Badan Koordinasi Pengawas Aliran Kepercayaan Masyarakat (Bakor Pakem)), the body that oversees (unorthodox) religious activity in Indonesia, has recommended that all activities of the sect Jemaah Ahmadiyah Indonesia (JAI) be stopped and the JAI dissolved.

Wisnu Subroto of the Attorney General’s office says the decision is final, no negotiations will be entered into, and was taken because Ahmadiyah is genuinely beyond the pale, – heretical because it recognises another prophet after Muhammad, – and because Ahmadiyah had violated a previous agreement (see Ahmadiyya) to “correct” their beliefs and practises within 3 months.

Pakem now expects a joint government edict (SKB) (from the Religion Ministry, Attorney General, and Home Ministry) to be issued banning the sect, based on Article 156 of criminal code, the law against blasphemy, which carries penalties of up to five years jail. l6

Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs of Widodo Adi Sutjipto said on the 17th that a decree would shortly be prepared. antara

However Attorney General Hendarman Supandji said the decree would not outlaw the group. tempo

Trials

Maruf Amin of the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) recommends the Ahmadiyah leadership be put on trial. Their three month period of grace was over and now they could be charged with deliberately and systematically blaspheming against Islam.

He asked people not to use violence against Ahmadiyah followers and any Ahmadiyah members who agreed to repent should be allowed to claim their property. inilah

Show of Strength

The Forum Umat Islam (FUI) plans to hold a “long march” in Jakarta, “Apel Sejuta Umat”, on 20th April, from the Istiqlal mosque to the Presidential Palace, in order to convince the government to ban Ahmadiyah. republika

Killing

A videotape screened by the National Alliance for the Freedom of Faith and Religion (AKKBB) this week showed Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) secretary-general Ahmad Sobri Lubis urging followers to murder Ahmadiyah members. thepersecution.org

We will wage war against Ahmadiyah! Kill Ahmadiyah! Kill! Kill! Kill! And if they say we are violating human rights, then I say damn human rights.

State Interference

Constitutional Court head Jimly Ashiddiqie recommended that the government not get involved in determining what were valid religious beliefs, instead leaving it up to religious authorities. detik

Bad Reputation

Syafi’i Anwar of the International Cental for Islam and Pluralism (ICIP) says Indonesia’s reputation in the world will only worsen if Ahmadiyah is forcibly broken up, and: okezone

It needs to be made clear that Indonesia is based on Pancasila not religion.

Police Protection

On 17th April JAI officials visited the Central Jakarta police headquarters seeking police protection for Ahmadiyah members and property. okezone

Police general Abubakar Nataprawira said anyone who attacked Ahmadiyah members or property would be dealt with. detik