Tuesday, February 8, 2011

MUI’s edict contributed to anti-Ahmadiyah violence

NATIONAL
Tue, 02/08/2011
6:54 PM
MUI’s edict contributed to anti-Ahmadiyah violence
Mariel Grazella, The Jakarta Post
Wahid Institute director Yenny Zanuba Wahid says the Indonesian Ulema Council’s (MUI) edict that branded Ahmadis heretics has contributed to the violence committed against them.

The MUI issued an edict in 1980 saying Ahmadiyah was not part of the Muslim faith and that its followers were infidels. The council reissued the edict in 2005.

“I think [the edict] contributed to the violence,” Yenny said Tuesday.

According to Yenny, the MUI’s edict was used by certain groups to legitimate their actions.

A group of local residents attacked an Ahmadiyah congregation in Cikeusik, Banten, on Sunday. Three Ahmadis died in the violence.

“It provides legitimacy to easily provoked groups to cause destruction and even to commit murder,” she said.

 
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