Nurfika Osman & Obey Wibinnov Sianipar – From private citizens to organizations both local and international, the growing sense of frustration was palpable.
The violent protests by hard-line Islamic groups in Temanggung, Central Java, on Tuesday, taking place as they did just two days after the deadly attack on the Ahmadiyah sect in Banten, helped further galvanize the opinion that intolerance toward minority religious groups in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation has gotten out of hand.
Moderate Muslims are worried and frustrated. "I am fed up with this. Islam has never taught that violence should be used to achieve anything," said Amenia, a civil servant. "Our people have become more and more anarchic. We look like uncivilized people."
Sarah Sagita, a company employee, said she hoped her fellow Indonesians would learn that violence would only make things worse.
"People should think clearly and know that the basis of Ahmadiyah is Islam," Sarah said, adding that while she believed the sect was not following the true path of Islam, violence against them was not the answer.
Condemnation of Tuesday's violence came swiftly. "These two cases are proof of the government's failure to put an end to continual injustices toward minorities," said Ricky Gunawan, program director for the People's Legal Aid Institution (LBH Masyarakat).
Ricky worried that the short space of time between the two cases would send a message that this kind of violence was tolerated.
"People will feel that [violence] is condoned by the government. The perpetrators should be arrested immediately and processed," he said. "The Ahmadiyah case, in particular, is beyond reasoning. It's as if [the perpetrators] are no longer human. I'm sad to see that the president is slow in taking action."
Bonar Tigor Naipospos, deputy chairman of the Setara Institute of Peace and Democracy, said the government's response has been inadequate.
"The government should be reminded that regret and condemnation are not enough. It needs to stop victimizing the victims," Bonar said in a statement. "The statement by Indonesian Police Chief Timur Pradopo that Ahmadiyah provoked [the incident] and refused to be evacuated is irresponsible."
Amnesty International likewise issued a statement on Tuesday urging the government to investigate the killings.
"This brutal attack on Ahmadiyah followers reflects the continued failure of the Indonesian government to protect religious minorities from harassment and attacks and to hold the perpetrators accountable," said Donna Guest, Asia Pacific deputy director at Amnesty International.
Amnesty said harassment and attacks against the Ahmadiyah community were also fueled by a 2008 joint ministerial decree forbidding Ahmadiyah followers from promoting their activities.
"Indonesia must develop a concrete strategy to strengthen respect for freedom of religion and religious tolerance, which has clearly deteriorated in recent years," the Amnesty statement said.
The incidents have even attracted the attention of the United States and the European Union.
Scot Marciel, US ambassador to Indonesia, said in a statement that the United States joined the vast majority of Indonesians in deploring the recent violence directed at members of the Ahmadiyah community.
"We also note with concern the recent burning of churches in Central Java. President Yudhoyono's statement condemning the attack on the Ahmadiyah and calling for an investigation underlines Indonesia's commitment to the rule of law. We encourage the Indonesian government to continue to foster tolerance and protect the rights of all communities."
The EU delegation to Indonesia and Brunei said it "shares the strong concerns expressed over the [Ahmadiyah] incident and emphasizes the need for an effective response."