Friday, February 18, 2011

FPI Threatens to Oust SBY if He Doesn’t Disband Ahmadiyah

Jakarta Globe, Indonesia
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FPI Threatens to Oust SBY if He Doesn’t Disband Ahmadiyah
February 18, 2011

Around 500 people join the FPI rally in Jakarta, urging the government to disband Ahmadiyah. (Beritasatu Photo/Ulin Yusron)
Hundreds of people from the Islamic Community Forum or FUI, rallying for the disbandment of Ahmadiyah sect at Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in May 2009. (JG Photo/Safir Makki)
About 500 people at an anti-Ahmadiyah rally led by the Islamic Defenders’ Front (FPI) at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle on Friday demanded the government disband the controversial sect, or else they will attempt to oust the president.

FPI clerics at the rally called on Indonesian Muslims to join their ranks against the Ahmadis.

“Ahmadiyah teachings say that non-Ahmadis must be killed, so they must be eliminated first,” Mishabhul Anam from FPI told the crowd.

Another orator accused the Ahmadis of being the cause of riots. “Therefore, to stop the riots they must be disbanded,” he said.

Awid Mashuri, the deputy secretary general of FPI, said there was no other option but for the government to disband Ahmadiyah.

A man sells books titled 'Mengapa Saya Keluar dari Ahmadiyah' ('Why I Left Ahmadiyah') during FPI rally in Jakarta on Friday. (Beritasatu Photo/Ulin Yusron))
A man sells books titled ‘Mengapa Saya Keluar dari Ahmadiyah’ (‘Why I Left Ahmadiyah’) during FPI rally in Jakarta on Friday. (Beritasatu Photo/Ulin Yusron)
“There is no other choice,” he said. “Government officials, most of whom are Muslim, must stand for us instead of for the Ahmadiyah. There is already a joint ministerial decree on the Ahmadiyah, the president only needs to turn it into a presidential decree.”

The protesters called President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono “banci,” which literally translates to transvestite, saying he was a coward for not disbanding Ahmadiyah.

Therefore, Awid said if the government does not disband the sect right away, they will force the president to step down.

“Ahmadiyah is a Western representation in Indonesia, which is our enemy,” Awid said.

Little boy sells 'Suara Islam' ('Islamic Voice') tabloid during the FPI rally at Hotel Indonesia traffic circle on Friday. (Beritasatu Photo/Ulin Yusron)
Little boy sells “Suara Islam” (“Islamic Voice”) tabloid during the FPI rally at Hotel Indonesia traffic circle on Friday. (Beritasatu Photo/Ulin Yusron)
He also accused the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) of “violating Islam” for protecting the Ahmadiyah.

The Islamic People’s Forum (FUI) leader, Muhammad Al Khaththat, said he demanded the government to take a number of actions.

“The first and foremost is SBY (Yudhoyono) must issue a decree to disband Ahmadiyah and arrest Abdul Basith, the leader of Ahmadiyah followers in Indonesia,” he said.

The rally was also seen as opportunity by some people to make money by selling books and tabloids related to Ahmadiyah.

A man was seen carrying a stack of books titled “Why I Left Ahmadiyah,” and it was sold for Rp 65,000 a piece.

A boy was also seen selling the “Suara Islam (“Islamic Voice”) tabloid, featuring FPI leader Habib Rizieq on the front page and the quote “Disband Ahmadiyah or SBY Steps Down.” The price of the tabloid is Rp 6,000 a piece but most people who bought it paid Rp 10,000.

“Keep the change, it’s my donation,” they said.

The rally is ongoing.

With reports from Beritasatu

 
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