Ruslan Sangadji, Palu – The Palu municipality has urged followers of the local Ahmadiyah sect to disband themselves and return to "true Islamic teachings" and assimilate with the local community.
"Based on an Indonesian Ulema Council [MUI] edict, Ahmadiyah is deemed heretical. That's why I suggest the Ahmadiyah chapter in Palu be disbanded. We will work together with the Alkhairaat and MUI to reform and provide true Islamic teachings to the Ahmadis," said Palu Mayor Andi Mulhanan Tombolotutu.
He raised the issue during a meeting between the Central Sulawesi provincial administration, Sigi regency administration, the MUI, Alkhairaat and Islam Defenders Front (FPI) at the governor's office in Palu on Sunday night.
Andi said the majority of Palu residents were followers of the Alkhairaat and practiced the Ahlussunah waljamaah Islamic approach, such as the Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah groups, and that no other denominations other than those are allowed.
Mulhanan said the vice mayor had also urged residents in Palu, including FPI members, to refrain themselves from resorting to violence toward Ahmadis in Palu. "We must be patient and refrain ourselves. Don't fall into using violence on fellow residents. Let's work together with the government to reform the Ahmadis," Mulhanan told the public.
Palu chapter Indonesia Ahmadiyah Congregation head Muhammad Nadjemuddin said his group was not heretical, as its members performed the five daily prayers, the pay tithe, haj pilgrimage and also fasted.
When asked on the group's membership, he said followers were found across the province. He said there were only eight Ahmadi families in Palu, or around 22 people, and around nine families in Sigi regency. "Our number is small and we won't spread the teachings," he said.
Central Sulawesi Governor Bandjela Paliudju said Ahmadiyah should abide by government regulations and it should not carry out activities pending the joint decree currently being discussed by the central government.
Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Dewa Parsana said police would secure the province from violent acts by residents and added he was not authorized to ban the movement in the province. Interfaith issues have come under the spotlight following a deadly attack on a group of Ahmadiyah followers in Cikeusik, Banten, two weeks ago. The Cikeusik incident left three sect members killed.
While the government has called for restraints, calls for the sect disbandment have not been receded.
In Madura, East Java, the demand to dissolve Ahmadiyah came from students who held a rally at the Arek Lanchor Monument in Pamekasan on Monday. "They may not be disbanded, but Ahmadiyah should not claim itself part of Islam," Alan Kaisan, the protesters' spokesman, said as quoted by Antara.