Home Worldwide Indonesia June, 2008 Dissolving Ahmadiyah …

Jakarta (ANTARA News) — Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni reiterated that the disbandment of the Jemaat Ahmadiyah Indonesia (JAI) was not a solution.

“Dissolving the organization will not solve the problem,” the minister said in a get together and dialogue with the Youth themed “Seeking Peace and Harmony in Indonesia’s Unity in Diversity,” he said here on Friday.

According to him, the 500 thousand Ahmadiyah adherents are basically citizens who deserved equal protection and treatment, and the religious ministry predicted that their may some day reach 80 thousand.

“The religious activities of those in JAI should not be banned. Which is the essence of the joint ministerial decree,” he said.

On a different occasion, the minister said the government had no right at all to intervene in the belief and religion of the citizens.

“I have already asked the religious leaders about the reason for disbanding the organization, as there is no single verse in the Koran which legalizes acts of tyranny,” he said.

Islam recognized coexistence among believers and differences in belief, which must not be forced.

The minister further said that Islam underlined the rights of an individual which could not be controlled by others without clear and acceptable reasons. (*)

Copyright © 2008 ANTARA Source: www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2008/6/14/many-not-satisfied-about-govts-decree-on-ahmadiyah/