Panca Nugraha and Ary Hermawan, Mataram/Jakarta – Suspected Muslim militants have attacked a mosque belonging to the Ahmadiyah sect in Sulawesi on Tuesday while the group was performing Idul Fitri prayers, police say.
National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam said a mosque belonging to the Ahmadiyah community in Buton regency, Southeast Sulawesi, was ransacked while the religious group were performing Idul Fitri prayers. "The mob smashed up the mosque with hammers, crowbars and machetes," Anton said Thursday.
Anton said the Buton Police prevented the attackers from setting the mosque on fire and evacuated members of the sect. Police were still investigating the incident, he said.
Meanwhile, members of the Ahmadiyah sect in West Nusa Tenggara, who are still waiting to be resettled after being driven out of their village early this year, held an emotional Idul Fitri near their refugee camp in Mataram on Tuesday.
The celebrations were marked by tears and hugging at the mosque where at least 250 Ahmadiyah followers congregated, including 155 people who have been forced out of their hometown in Ketapang, West Lombok.
"To our brothers who have been evacuated to this Transito building, I ask you to be patient to face this difficult time. In loyalty (to one's faith) there is always patience," Syamsir Ali, a senior member of Ahmadiyah's West Nusa Tenggara chapter, said before the prayer.
The Idul Fitri celebration is the group's first since they were chased out of their village by an angry mob nine months ago.
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has issued a fatwa that bans the sect and forbids Muslims from following its teachings. It was later criticized for helping spark the violence against the group.
Ahmadiyah followers follow the Koran, Hadiths and Prophet Muhammad's teachings like other Muslims but believe Mirza Gulam Ahmad was the last prophet after Muhammad.
Tuesday's prayers ended with a modest meal. Many of the followers living in the refugee center have no sources of income after being driven off their farmland.
"I'm sad. However, I believe God will recognize our patience," said Ridwan, one of the Ahmadiyah followers.