Sukabumi, West Java – Indonesia's highest clerical body says more than 100 followers of a minority Islamic sect in Sukabumi have apologized for their "misguided" religious practices, following the alleged killing of a mainstream Muslim cleric and the arrest of the sect's leader.
The Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI) said on Friday that 123 members of the Tijaniyah Mutlak Cimahi sect had submitted a written promise to abandon the sect and its practices.
"They declared remorse under no force, and they have really abandoned the misguided teachings," said Zezen Zainal Abidin, head of the MUI's chapter in Sukabumi, adding that MUI officials and the local consultative leadership board (Muspida) witnessed the followers write the statement.
Zezen said the sect, led by a man named Sumarna, prayed only four times daily, rather than the five times required in mainstream Islam. He also said Sumarna claimed to be a prophet who received divine revelations through his dreams and taught that doomsday would fall on Aug. 17.
"The 123 followers of the misguided sect led by Sumarna have declared remorse for practicing Sumarna's teachings, as well as their return to true Islamic teachings," Zezen said.
The MUI official said the 123 followers included men, women and children, and that the MUI would offer them religious guidance. He also clarified that the name of Sumarna's sect was not Thoriqoh Tijaniyah, as the media has widely reported.
"Tijaniyah Mutlak Cimahi's teachings are misguided, different from those of Thoriqoh Tijaniyah, which is legal and recognized in Indonesia," said Zezen.
Sumarna's sect came under the spotlight after houses belonging to some of its members in Cisalopa village, Sukabumi, were allegedly attacked on Sunday by mainstream Muslims. The attack followed the disappearance of a local mainstream cleric, 34-year-old Ustadz Edin, on Aug. 14.
Edin was reportedly a tough opponent of Sumarna, frequently asking the sect leader to disband his group and return to "true Islamic teachings." After his disappearance, local residents became suspicious that he had been murdered by members of the minority sect.
After the houses were attacked on Sunday, the police discovered Edin's body buried in Sumarna's backyard in Cisalopa.
The police said Edin visited Sumarna's house on Aug. 14 in his latest attempt to persuade the sect leader to return to traditional beliefs. They added that they had arrested 14 suspects in the alleged killing, including Sumarna.
"I admit the teachings that I've spread are misguided," Sumarna said in his police cell in Sukabumi. "I intentionally taught them to others because of internal urges. I realize I have to alter my religious practices."
"I have developed the teaching since 2010, and I required each of my followers to pay Rp 1 million ($105) in dues," he added. (Antara, JG)