Arya Dipa, Bandung – The Priangan Barat chapter of Jemaah Ahmadiyah Indonesia (JAI) in West Java say Minister of Religious Affairs Suryadharma Ali takes side and cheerleads intolerance.

Ekky Mubariq of the chapter questioned Suryadharma's claim that 20 Ahmadi followers had quit JAI. On May 21, 2013, Suryadharma witnessed the 20 Ahmadis reciting two syahadat (confession) at a mosque in Takismalaya.

"The religious affairs minister has explicitly created a negative opinion of JAI to the public. He fans the flames of intolerance," Ekky said,

Ekky welcomed West Java provincial administration's protection for the JAI group. "We agree with the protection against violence and prevention of destruction of JAI assets from," he said after meeting Bandung Legal Aid Institute and Deputy Police chief Brig. Gen. Rycko Amelza Dahniel.

Violence to the Ahmadi has increased since a ministerial decree in 2008 banned the sect.

Deputy director of Bandung Legal Aid Institute Unung Nuralamsyah said the police would protect the Ahmadis through routine patrols in JAI areas. Unung said, the police admitted they were lax when Ahmadiyah assets in Salawu and Singaparna were destroyed this month. (hhr)