Rights group Setara Institute has expressed concern over a recent attack on an Ahmadi mosque in Kendal regency, Central Java, and criticized the government for failing to protect the minority group.

Setara Institute chairman Hendardi said the destruction of the Ahmadi mosque in Purworejo subdistrict, Ringin Arum district, Kendal, by a group of unidentified people early Monday was the 114th attack against Ahmadi congregations in Indonesia.  

“During 2007-2015, the Setara Institute recorded 113 Ahmadi mosques that had been damaged by people with support from officials of local administrations,” said Hendardi as quoted by kompas.com on Monday.

Setara Institute recorded 197 violations against freedom of religion in the country in 2015. Hendardi urged Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo to take immediate action to prevent further violations against freedom of religion.

He said the minister must ensure that Ahmadis in Purworejo could exercise their right to religious freedom. “The Setara Institute again reminds Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo to take measures against the [Kendal] attack,” said Hendardi.

Separately, National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Ahmad said the police were investigating the attack on the mosque and that action would be taken against the perpetrators.

“Legal measures must be taken against those who committed the violence. If necessary, they must be named suspects for involvement in the attack or vandalism,” said Boy as quoted by kompas.com at the National Police headquarters in Jakarta on Monday. The police have increased security at the site of the attack and in the vicinity.

Boy deplored intolerant acts against people of any religion or ethnicity. “We should not use violence in efforts to solve problems regardless of religious or ethnic background. All problems should be resolved through dialogue; all must be settled using legal avenues,” said Boy.

On Monday, a mosque belonging to Ahmadiyah followers in Purworejo village, Kendal, Central Java, was attacked in the early hours. The mosque’s walls and roof were damaged in the attack, which occurred during heavy rain. Dozens of books and copies of the Koran were scattered on the floor.

The police have sealed of the site for investigative purposes.

The leader of the Ahmadi community in Purworejo village, Ta’zis, explained the incident to thejakartapost.com on Monday. “I got information [on the attack] from our member who phoned me at around 1:30 a.m. local time on Monday. It rained heavily from 8 p.m. on Sunday through Monday morning. That’s why I went to the mosque, Al Kautsar Mosque, at about 6 a.m. to see the damage,” he said.

Ta’zis said he did not know the reason for the attack. “We have around 100 followers here, although only 88 of them are officially registered. Our relations with local residents are fine. That’s why we don’t understand why people attacked our mosque. We have reported it to the police. Several officials from the Central Java Police and the Kendal Police came here,” he said.

Al Kautsar Mosque was built in 2012. Work was being done on the mosque. “We were fixing the roof, but suddenly the attack occurred. I’m the one who is responsible for the building activities,” said Roy Attaul Djamil, head of the Ahmadiyah Youth Association for Central Java and Yogyakarta.

“All this time, nothing has happened in Central Java and Yogyakarta. There had been no attacks or bothering of Ahmadis in those areas. How could such an attack happen in Kendal?” said Roy. The attack caused about Rp 200 million ( US$14,610 ) in financial losses.

According to Ahmadi central executive board data, attacks against Ahmadis are common in only two areas, namely West Java and West Nusa Tenggara.

Ahmadi officials in Kendal are waiting for the police to take action. “The police said they will act as mediator in a meeting between us [Ahmadis] and village and district officials,” said Ta’zis.

The attack is thought to have happened as a result of local opposition to construction of the mosque despite a building permit ( IMB ) and deed being obtained.

“Ahmadiyah obtained the permit and deed in 2004. At that time, building a house of worship did not require approval from nearby residents. This became a requirement only after the issuance of a joint decree [SKB] issued by the Attorney General’s Office, the Home Ministry and the Religious Affairs Ministry in 2006,” said the director of the Religion and Social Study Institute ( eLSA ) Semarang, Yayan M.Royani.

“The problem is, residents and officials of local administrations in the lower levels do not understand the matter. They are forcing Ahmadiyah to abide by the SKB,” said Yayan, adding that the eLSA would help the Ahmadis resolve the problem through the national unity and community protection division of the Kendal administration.

“Ahmadiyah is officially registered as a mass organization in Kendal. It is not an illegal organization,” said Yayan.

Source:
courtesy of THE JAKARTA POST

by The Jakarta Post

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