West Java, Islamic extremists attacked an Ahmadi mosque
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - A mob of Islamic
extremists brutally attacked an Ahmadi mosque in the village
of Cipakat in the town of Singaparna in Tasikmalaya regency, West
Java province. Indonesian police departments have been deployed to
protect the security of the place of worship and there is still a state of
considerable tension in the area. The raid occurred on April 20, a few hours after Friday
prayers, the holy day for Muslims. Local sources report that the attack was
attended by at least 80 people affiliated with local Islamic extremist
movements, the building was repeatedly hit with rocks and stones, while some of
the assailants stormed into the building destroying objects. After the attack
there were no injuries, but the structure was seriously damaged.
Human rights activists and members of civil society criticize the actions of
the police, unable to "block" the attackers and defend the Ahmadi
mosque, belonging to the Muslim religious minority considered heretical by Sunni
- and official - Islam because they do not consider Mohammed as last prophet. However,
the deputy spokesman of the National Police Gen. Muhammad Taufik rejected the
accusations, adding that the crowd wanted to protest against the community for
its "illegal" teachings and a practice of faith that
"deviates" from the traditional doctrine.
The controversy was sparked by the delivery of a formal letter of protest from
the Baitul Rahim Mosque of
Representatives, which urged the protesters to attack the Ahmadi place of
worship.
Djoko Suyanto, the Minister with responsibility for legal affairs and security
condemned the incident and confirmed that a full investigation is underway to
shed light on the matter. His words, however, have not placated public opinion
and according activists the comment is not "genuine" but an empty
promise, devoid of any concrete action to stop the violence.
The Minister for Religious Affairs Suryadharma Ali has instead issued a stern
warning against the Ahmadi minority, "inviting" them to respect
Indonesian law. The reference is to a joint ministerial decree dating back to
2008, which outlaws the practice of worship for religious minorities and
prohibits any form of spreading the faith. Unlike others, minister Ali is not
seen as impartial compared to his predecessors, and has repeatedly called the
Ahmadi movement an "offense" that must be banished from the country.
.png)
