Nigeria: Ahmadi Muslim Youths Hold Guber Debate

The event is to provide a level playing field for gubernatorial candidates to showcase their manifestos and discuss sustainable way of achieving their programmes towards improving the lives of Lagosians.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: All Africa Nigeria
By All Africa | February 28, 2011

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Youth wing Lagos Stateis organising a Gubernatorial Debate among the gubernatorial candidates in the forth coming April,2011 elections in Nigeria.

The event, which is slated for Sunday, March 6, 2011 at the Eko FM/Radio Lagos Multipurpose hall, Agidingbi, Ikeja, according to the President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Organisation, Ola Omopariola Abdul- Ganiyu, is to provide a level playing field for gubernatorial candidates to showcase their manifestos and discuss sustainable way of achieving their programmes towards improving the lives of Lagosians.

Read original post here: Muslim Youths Hold Guber Debate

Eye on sports: Iran threatens Olympic boycott over logo design

"There is no doubt that negligence of the issue from your side may affect the presence of some countries in the Games, especially Iran which abides by commitment to the values and principles."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | EU Desk
Source/Credit: Yahoo News | EuroSports
By EuroSports | February 28, 2011

Iran has threatened to boycott the London 2012 Olympics unless organisers agree to change the design of the logo.

The Iranian government has lodged a formal protest with the International Olympic Committee over the four-year-old logo, claiming that it must be changed since it spells out the word 'Zion'.

Indonesia: Rights groups condemn local bans on Ahmadiyah

Ridha Saleh from the National Commission for Human Rights shared Erna’s concerns, saying local administrations could not subjectively impose certain rulings to control people’s religious lives “because it does not only violate the Constitution, but also usurps the authority of the central government.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit:The Jakarta Post | Headlines
By Ina Parlina | February 28, 2011

Groups condemned bans issued by local administrations on the followers of Ahmadiyah following a fatal mob attack in Cikeusik village, Banten.

The chairwoman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Erna Ratnaningsih, said such policies would only erode the country’s diversity and violated the Constitution.

“Such policies violate people’s right to worship as stipulated by the Constitution,” she told The Jakarta Post via telephone Sunday.

She added that the ban was justification for and a tool of violence against religious minorities.

Pakistan: ‘Revolution Movement’: Youths protest against US presence

...30,000 people had pledged online to attend the next meeting, planned for March 3, and he expected that number to grow to 50,000. He said that the next target of the group’s protest would be the present government system. 

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Express Tribune
By Rameez Khan | February 28, 2011


LAHORE: Two demonstrations by young people protesting various aspects of the American presence in Pakistan were staged in the city on Sunday. The organisers of both protests vowed to hold much larger rallies next month.

Around 250 people gathered at Liberty roundabout under the banner of a group called the Pakistan Future Forum to protest at the Raymond Davis killings. They gave speeches condemning American policies and expressing sympathy with Davis’ alleged victims. Some emphasised that they condemned American policies but were not trying to incite anti-Americanism.

Indonesia: Ahmadis in Central Sulawesi told to stop using house as place of worship

"We have been in Sigi since the 1960s...We have never done anything to upset the community's sense of security or disturb the region's security." [Ahmad Najamuddin, Sigi Ahmadiyah leader]

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Post
By JP | February 28, 2011

An Ahmadiyah community in Sigi, Central Sulawesi, says its local House of Representatives (DPRD) was discriminating against them by demanding they stop using a house in the area as a place of worship.

"We have been in Sigi since the 1960s...We have never done anything to upset the community's sense of security or disturb the region's security," Sigi Ahmadiyah leader Ahmad Najamuddin said Sunday, as quoted by Tempointeraktif.com.

Sigi DPRD chairman Gesang said the Ahmadiyah community must stop using the house as a place of worship or the government would force them to do so.

USA: Muslim group spreads message of love, acceptance in Paterson

The campaign, run by the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, aims to counter negative generalizations about Muslims that have led to such turmoil as the protests over building a mosque near the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

(Chris Monroe / Record) Kashif N. Chaudhry, president of The Youth
Association - Ahmadiyya Muslim Community North Jersey,
handing out brochures at Market and Main streets in Paterson.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: NorthJesey.Com | The Record
By Zach Patberg | February 27, 2011

When Muslim extremists hijacked planes to use as missiles against New York and Washington, they in effect hijacked Islam, Kashif Chaudhry — an Englewood doctor — said.

So for the past year, almost every weekend, Chaudhry and thousands of other Muslim-Americans across the country have fought to get it back — and reverse a popular belief among Westerners that their religion promotes violence. They wage this public relations war with advertisements on the sides of buses, brochures handed out on street corners and simple conversation with anyone who’ll listen.

On Sunday, the Muslims for Peace movement’s North Jersey chapter was in Paterson at the corner of Market and Main streets passing out pamphlets that read “Love for all — hatred for none.” In a month or so, they’ll likely fan out to Bergen County, perhaps Englewood, Chaudhry said.

Indonesia: 'Best to disband Ahmadiyah,' Religious Minister up to old tricks

The minister’s statement came on the same day that Habib Rizieq, leader of the hard-line Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), called on Muslims nationwide to attend a march on Tuesday demanding the banning of Ahmadiyah.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Post
By Fitri | February 28, 2011

Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara. Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali told a gathering of Islamic leaders on Sunday that the Ahmadiyah sect should be outlawed, but that the government did not have the power to make the decision.

To shouts of “Disband Ahmadiyah” from an audience that included the heads of about 500 Islamic boarding schools and the leaders of at least nine Islamic organizations, the minister seemed to urge religious leaders to take the lead in pushing for the minority Islamic sect to be disbanded.

“We [the government] do not have the right to disband Ahmadiyah,” he said. “That right lies in the hands of you esteemed ulema. We, the government, only have the right to regulate and control, not to disband or excommunicate.”

Pakistan's Blasphemy Law: Religion or Politics?

When the 1949 Objectives Resolution, which previously existed as a preamble to the Constitution of Pakistan, was incorporated into the constitution as Article 2A through Zia’s presidential order, subsequent amendments – and additions – to laws were justified on the basis that certain laws needed to be brought in conformity with Islamic injunctions.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Newsline Magazine | News & Politics
By Farieha Aziz | February 27, 2011

It is imperative now, more than ever, to trace the history of the Blasphemy Law (295-C) – in fact, the history of Section 295 and its three sub-sections. Since their introduction and amendment, sections 295-B and 295-C have been misused more than any other law in the chapter on “Offences Related to Religion” in the Pakistan Penal Code.

The origin of Section 295 is found in the 1860 Penal Code of India, a construct of the British rulers of the time. Section 295 stated:

    “Injuring or defiling place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class: Whoever destroys, damages or defiles any place of worship, or any object held sacred by any class of persons with the intention of thereby insulting the religion of any class of persons or with the knowledge that any class of persons is likely to consider such destruction, damage or defilement as an insult to their religion, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.”

Pakistan's Blasphemy Law: Psychiatric patient beaten, sent to jail on charges of disrespecting the Holy Quran

Around 250 residents gathered and beat him before hustling him off to the police. Enraged people gathered outside the police station to force the police to register a case (FIR No. 57/11).

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Express Tribune
By Faraz Khan | February 27, 2011

KARACHI: A 32-year-old man, arrested two days ago on charges of disrespecting the sanctity of the Holy Quran, was sent to jail on judicial remand by the Judicial Magistrate East on Saturday.

Idrees Khan was arrested by the Landhi police after his neighbours handed him over for allegedly setting leaves of the holy book on fire. According to his father Essa Khan, a day before the incident, he and Idrees visited a pesh imam of a mosque in the area, who asked them to bury the leaves of the Holy Quran after setting them on fire. “The pesh imam assured us that it was not a sin,” he said. “Upon his assurance, we obeyed him.”

However, a woman saw Idrees and raised a hue and cry as he went about the task. Around 250 residents gathered and beat him before hustling him off to the police. Enraged people gathered outside the police station to force the police to register a case (FIR No. 57/11).

USA: With God on our side

In an NPR interview about this story, a Pakistani shopkeeper said that he believed the United States was waging war against Islam. That sounded familiar; I know Christians who believe Islam is making war against the United States.

Pakistani Gov. Taseer (left) was assassinated by Mumtaz Qadri (right). 

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: CDA Press | The Linotype
By Tim Hunt | February 27, 2011

Until recently, I had not heard of Salman Taseer, the late governor of Punjab, Pakistan. His bodyguard assassinated him citing his employer's opposition to Pakistan's blasphemy laws which cover a wide range of insults to Islam and carry the death sentence. The assassin, on entering a courtroom for his first hearing, was showered with rose petals by supporters; he has been praised by some Pakistani clerics for his actions.

These same blasphemy laws were used to obtain a death sentence - by hanging - for a Christian woman, Asia Bibi. While she languishes in prison awaiting further legal action or execution, her husband and five daughters are in hiding, also under death threats. Her offense was to fetch water which her fellow workers refused to drink because the touch of a Christian had contaminated it.

Indonesia: FPI calls for Muslims to join long march rejecting Ahmadiyah

FPI Cheif: ...the President had not likely “mastered” and “understood” Ahmadiyah’s teachings, and thus, he sees them as merely different, rather than a “taint” to the religion.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Post | National
By TJP | February 27, 2011

The Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) is calling for Muslims to take part in a long march in Jakarta on March 1 to demand disbanding of Islamic minority sect Jamaah Ahmadiyah.

FPI chief Habib Rizieq said Sunday the group would soon send a letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urging the sect be disbanded.

“On March 1, thousands of Muslims will gather at HI [Hotel Indonesia] traffic circle, sincerely and peacefully. We’ve also prepared a letter, written in polite words, to be addressed to the President,” Habib said while delivering a sermon in Jakarta.

Faith and Practice: Understanding The 'Splitting of the Sea'

According to the Quran, God told Prophet Moses to cross during the time of low tide, “Then We revealed to Moses, saying, ‘Strike the sea with thy rod.’ Thereupon it parted, and every part looked like a huge sand-hill” (26:64).

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: The Finger Lakes Times | Op-Ed
By Sardar Anees Ahmad | February 25, 2011

Last month, we ended a discussion about the philosophy of divine punishment with reference to Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) victory over Pharaoh. The “splitting of the sea” was referenced and deserved its own discussion, to which we now turn.

Before analyzing the specific events surrounding the “splitting of the sea,” the reader must understand that Islam argues that divine punishment occurs within the confines of natural laws. Islam completely rejects any interpretation which requires one to abandon belief in established scientific laws. If God has created everything, why must He break the natural laws He created to create a natural disaster? Indeed, 750 Quranic verses reference scientific principles precisely to demonstrate harmony between God's Word and Act.

USA: Efforts to build a Muslim house of worship should be fully supported

Opponents of the San Martin mosque should join the tireless quest for the defense of liberty, freedom and property by supporting the construction of a house of worship in San Martin, be it a house of worship for Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and yes, even Muslims.

Ahmadiyya Muslim motto: Love for all; Hatred for none

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: The Gilroy Dispatch | Community
By Junaid Sulahry | February 23, 2011



Dear Editor,

I applaud Lisa Pampuch's recent opinion column in your paper, "Mosque in San Martin? Let's learn from history."

The construction of a mosque in San Martin should provide us with the perfect example of how our founding principles faithfully protect the rights of minorities to property, assembly and religion.

Our enduring Constitution was specifically designed with the knowledge that majorities can become oppressors of the rights of minorities, which calls for the strict adherence to our fundamental values in spite of fervent majority opposition.

Egypt: Al-Azhar Imam Offended, Orders Niqab off, Wants Ban

Most Muslim women in Egypt wear the hijab, which is an obligatory code of dress in Islam, but an increase in women putting on the niqab has apparently alarmed the government.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: Islam Online | News
ByIslamOnline.net & Newspapers

Azhar Imam Orders Niqab off, Wants Ban: “The niqab is a tradition and has nothing to do with Islam,” said Sheikh Tantawi, vowing to ban it in Al-Azhar schools.

CAIRO – The head of Al-Azhar, the highest seat of learning in the Sunni world, has ordered a school girl to remove her niqab during a visit to an Al-Azhar school, saying he would seek an official ban for the face veil in schools, Al-Masri Al-Youm newspaper reported on Monday, October 5.
“Why are you wearing the niqab while sitting in the class with your female colleagues?” Al-Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Mohamed Sayyed Tantawi asked the 8th grader.

The young girl was shocked with the question coming from the country’s top scholar.

Buffalo, NY: Ahmadiyya sponsored Interfaith conference set

Imam Naseem Mahdi, national vice president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the United States will be representing the Islamic perspective.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Nat'l VP, Naseem Mahdi

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: Buffalo News
By Bufalow News | February 26, 2011

The Buffalo Chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will hold its 16th interfaith conference from 2 to 5 p.m. March 13 in the Millennium Hotel Buffalo, 2040 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga.

The topic is the “Concept of Blasphemy” and speakers will be Dr. Dilip Sinha, representing a Hindu perspective; Rabbi Allen H. Podet, representing a Jewish perspective; the Rev. Jeff Carter, representing a Christian perspective; Surjit Singh, representing a Sikh perspective; and Imam Naseem Mahdi, national vice president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the United States, representing the Islamic perspective.

Admission is free and open to all.

In Egypt, freedom is possible

For one moment our cautious eye blinked with optimism. For one moment our cautious eye did not seem so cautious. At least, for one moment, it was freedom.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: Baltimore Sun
By Zeeshan Elahi, Laurel | February 17, 2011

Their voices have been heard. The people have spoken. The streets of Cairo echo with the clatter of democracy and freedom. However, I wonder if freedom in Egypt is truly possible. Can a regime torn by controversy and dictatorship follow with freedom and liberty?

Many Americans tend to view Muslim countries with a cautious eye. However, this past weekend I stumbled upon a very peculiar image. The image depicted was thousands of men and women praying together side-by-side after the conclusion of dictatorship in Tahrir Square in Cairo (a feat typically unusual outside of the holy city of Mecca). There were no differences, no gender imbalances, dare I say, no problems. For one moment our cautious eye blinked with optimism. For one moment our cautious eye did not seem so cautious. At least, for one moment, it was freedom.

Zeeshan Elahi, Laurel


Read original post here: In Egypt, freedom is possible

Pakistan: Herald exclusive - Law unto themselves | Dawn

In at least 39 cases, angry members of the public – including policemen – took it upon themselves to punish the accused, demonstrating that they do not trust the law to deal with blasphemy.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Daily Dawn | Pakistan | Herald Exclusive
By  Maleeha Hamid Siddiqui | February 15, 2011
Tables by Asad Jamal

Police in Pakistan are known for being inefficient, corrupt and brutal. But when it comes to blasphemy cases they have behaved even more irresponsibly on a number of occasions, taking the law into their own hands and putting the accused to death without giving them the benefit of investigation or trial. This raises serious questions about the ability of the law and of law-enforcement mechanisms to take their course on an issue that inspires emotions as heated as blasphemy does. Or, to put it differently, there are two aspects to the debate on blasphemy laws: Are they effective as institutional tools to curb what is strictly a religious crime, and are they preventing people from dispensing mob and vigilante justice? The answer on both counts is no.

Indonesia: Muslim hard-liners challenge government over Ahmadiyah

The API West Java chapter coordinator, Asep Syarifudin, said protesters would occupy the State Palace from March 1 until Yudhoyono issued a decree on the disbandment of Ahmadiyah.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit:The Jakarta Post | Bandung/Mataram
By Yuli Tri Suwarni and Panca Nugraha | February 26, 2011

An alliance of Muslim hard-liners once again called for Ahmadiyah disbandment in Bandung on Friday and threatened anarchic movement against the government.

Gathering at Gedung Sate, the province’s administrative center, the protesters said they came from 30 Muslim organizations, affiliated with the Islamic Movement Alliance (API).

They threatened to mobilize 10,000 people to occupy the State Palace if President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono failed to meet their demand that a presidential decree be issued to disband the Ahmadiyah.

The calls over Ahmadiyah were also directed to West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, saying that the disbandment would be necessary to stem further conflict among mainstream Islamic organizations and Ahmadiyah.

Rally as Pakistan court hears assassin case

The killing of the reformist Taseer was the most high-profile political assassination in Pakistan since former prime minister Benazir Bhutto died in a gun and suicide attack in December 2007.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Channel News Asia
By CNA | AFP | February 26, 2011

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Supporters of a Pakistani police commando charged with murdering a high-profile liberal governor held a rally Saturday as the court resumed taking statements in the case.

At a previous hearing Malik Mumtaz Qadri was charged with terrorism and the January 4 murder of Punjab governor Salman Taseer.

The killing of the reformist Taseer was the most high-profile political assassination in Pakistan since former prime minister Benazir Bhutto died in a gun and suicide attack in December 2007.

More than 250 demonstrators rallied outside the Adiyala prison, where the hearing took place, in the garrison town of Rawalpindi. They shouted "Long live Qadri, Release Qadri!", an AFP reporter at the scene said.

The demonstrators carried the alleged killer's portrait and placards reading "We salute Qadri's courage".

They also approached the car of one of the judges and shouted "Friends of a blasphemer are traitors."

The court recorded statements from three witnesses -- two policemen and a doctor who performed Taseer's post-mortem examination -- before adjourning until March 5, Qadri's lawyer Shujaur Rehman told AFP.

Qadri has confessed to killing Taseer and said he objected to the politician's calls to reform the blasphemy law, which mandates the death sentence for those convicted of defaming the Prophet Mohammed.

Rights groups say the law is exploited in cases of personal enmity.

The country's growing conservative religious right publicly praised Qadri for silencing a dangerous reformer. But the killing appalled the tiny liberal elite, who interpreted it as a death knell for reform efforts.

Pakistan has yet to execute anyone for blasphemy. Most of those convicted have their sentences overturned or commuted on appeal through the courts.

-AFP/ac


Read original post here: Rally as Pakistan court hears assassin case

Indonesia: Regional Politicians Want To Ban Or Curb Ahmadiyah

Limiting the Ahmadiyah community’s activities was necessary as a way to prevent potential conflicts, Faozal said, adding that the government hoped its followers would return to the “rightful path of Islam.”

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l desk
Source/Credit:  The Jakarta Globe
By Fitri, Eras Poke, Heru Andriyanto
Posted: February 26, 2011

Regional chiefs in some Indonesian provinces are moving ahead with plans to either ban completely or restrict the activities of Ahmadiyah followers in their areas, claiming the Muslim sect has stirred up community conflicts.

The mayor of Samarinda, Sjahrie Jaang, said he would curb all Ahmadiyah activities in the East Kalimantan capital and would also soon move to close down its mosques.

“The regulation on halting the activities of the Ahmadiyah was signed today,” he told reporters after a meeting with local police, religious leaders and community representatives on Friday.

Eye on revolution: Arabs must be wary of violent protest

The deaths of two protesters are mourned in Bahrain but the anti-government protest remains peaceful. That is the example the rest of the Muslim world must follow.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: The Columbus Dispatch
By Sohaib Awan | February 24, 2011

From Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, to Pearl Square in Manama, Bahrain, revolutionary fever runs throughout the Arab world. Slogans from the streets of Yemen ring, only to reverberate in the streets of Iran.

But at what cost? The usurpation of the very rights of others that they themselves demand? Through looting and violence, the Arab world will raise from among them another Ahmadinejad or Gadhafi.

The deaths of two protesters are mourned in Bahrain but the anti-government protest remains peaceful. That is the example the rest of the Muslim world must follow.

California, USA: Understanding Islam - KSPA / 1510 AM - Saturdays - Weekly Radio Show

WITH IMAM SHAMSHAD

Co-Hosts: Imam Shamsad Nasir Jonathan Ghaffar & Imran Jattala  Saturdays: 10:30 AM PST [5:30 PM GMT] KPSA / 1510 AM

Pakistan: Now non-Muslims using Islamic blasphemy law against non-Muslims

These incidents are more than enough to show that Blasphemy law in Pakistan, particularly in the Punjab province (where almost all cases of blasphemy are reported), has become a dangerous weapon, shot through the court of law at anyone who is marked as an enemy or opponent.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Digital Journal
By Ernest Dempsey | Januaryy 25, 2011

Faisalabad - Yet another case of alleged blasphemy has been reported from Pakistan, taking place in Faisalabad (Punjab), this one rather unique.

Instead of a Muslim-at-Christian case, this time a Christian woman has used the blasphemy law sword to cut at a Christian family that had won against her a piece of disputed land in the court of law.

The story in Continental News tells that a disgruntled and vindictive Agnes Bibi, after threatening the rival family of Aslam Masih Bhatti, tried to use the blasphemy card by going to the police station along with a Muslim cleric and accusing Bhatti of blasphemy. She reported to the police on February 16, 2011, that Bhatti had passed blasphemous remarks about Prophet Mohamamd.

Indonesia: religion and rule of law

After a 2008 clash in Jakarta during a religious pluralism rally, the government issued an anti-Ahmadiyah ordinance that bars the group from worshiping in public and spreading its teachings. The decree is a step below a 2005 fatwa from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) that orders the government to outlaw the Ahmadiyah.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Global Post | Asia Pacific
By Sara Schonhardt | February 25, 2011


The state’s failure to prevent two back-to-back attacks on religious minorities signals a rise in intolerance and impunity.

JAKARTA, Indonesia — The video footage is gruesome. A Muslim mob shouting "Allah akbar" ("God is greatest") beats half-naked men with bamboo sticks as police stand by and watch. One officer makes a feeble attempt to hold back the crowd that has grown to 1,500. Many of those present pull out their mobile phones to take pictures of the violence.

When the assault, targeted at the home of a religious leader, is finished, three members of the minority Islamic sect Ahmadiyah are dead, and a handful severely injured.

Indonesia: Anti-Ahmadiyah protesters to move from HI to Komnas HAM office

Protesters included members of the Islam Defenders Front, Islamic Peoples Forum, Indonesia Syariah, Muslims Green Troops (Laskar Hijau Muslim), and Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Post
By TJP | February 25, 2011

Anti-Ahmadiyah protesters planned to move their demonstration to the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) headquarters after demonstrating in front of the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle at midday today.

Protesters included members of the Islam Defenders Front, Islamic Peoples Forum, Indonesia Syariah, Muslims Green Troops (Laskar Hijau Muslim), and Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia.

“Our action will continue not to the State Palace, but to the National Human Rights Commission headquarters,” the coordinator of the demonstration, Ustadz Bernard Abdul Jabar, said.

Religious Violence In Indonesia | VOA News

The United States is deeply concerned about the recent violence in Indonesia directed at members of the minority Muslim communities and about the recent church burnings in Central Java.  The United States joins the vast majority of Indonesians in deploring these acts of violence.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: Voice Of America | News
By  VOA | Fenruary 23, 2011

A small but vocal and sometimes violent minority rejects the equal rights of all groups. Recently there have been several worrisome instances of religious violence.

Indonesia has a rich tradition of respecting religious pluralism and promoting tolerance.  However, a small but vocal and sometimes violent minority rejects the equal rights of all groups.  Recently there have been several worrisome instances of religious violence.

On February 6th, a mob attacked a house belonging to a leader of the Ahmadiyah community.

Eye on revolution: Sign of hope in Egypt

Egypt must take heed; America's story demonstrates that religion and secularism can coexist. Revolution need not mean rejection. 

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: Ohio.com
By Tariq Malik | February 25, 2011

The Egyptian revolution is a sign of hope for the Muslim world. I salute Egypt's youth for their peaceful protest, despite subversive attempts to incite violence. Despite suffering nearly 300 casualties, the Egyptian revolution was a largely peaceful revolution.

This revolution is a sign of political and inter-religious unity, and a promising sign of future Egyptian prosperity. But there is fear that this revolution will cause a rejection of everything the previous regime stood for, even its salient features.

Indonesia: Ahmadiyah Attack Suspects May Be Tried Soon

All nine suspects were registered as residents of Cikeusik, but according to an investigation by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), the attackers were outsiders and not locals.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Globe | Headlines
By Farouk Arnaz, Markus Junianto Sihaloho
Poswted: February 24, 2011

Five suspects in the deadly attack on an Ahmadiyah community in Cikeusik, Banten, could face trial soon as police have already submitted their dossiers to prosecutors, a police spokesman said on Wednesday.

The five, according to Insp. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam, are charged under Article 170 of the Criminal Code on assault, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 12 years if the violence results in death. Two of the five are further charged under Article 160 on incitement.

One of the suspects, identified only as M., is the top priority because “he knows how this incident happened in the first place,” Anton said.

Indonesian Bishop premature to speak of "common house" for Christians and Muslims

..[T]he archbishop of Semarang said that recent sectarian attacks "have shocked a great number of Christians" and this requires "a specific moment of reflection and prayer." He also states that no one is authorized to "orchestrate" sensitive issues such as interfaith dialogue and called for a "joint project" for peace, so that every citizen can live free in their own country.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Asia News
By Mathias Hariyadi | February 23, 2011

Bishop Pujasumarta defines a "good idea" the creation of a common place for the faithful of all religions, but it is "too early" for the project. The prelate, and Christians are "terrified" by attacks against Ahmadis and Christians in recent weeks. The solidarity of the Nahdlatul Ulama.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - The project to create a "common house" for the faithful of all religions "is certainly a good idea" but is "too early" to be practicable because "we are still appalled at the images of our fellow citizens, carrying knives, stones and sticks, who commit violent acts, destroy others' property and even kill". So says Mgr. Johannes Pujasumarta Pr, Archbishop of Semarang (Java), stressing that they are "personally horrified to see what has happened recently in Cikeusik and Temanggung.

Canada: Civic, Community and Political Leaders Unite Against Extremism

Leaders from different faiths and denominations have been invited along with civic leaders and political representatives to join the fight against the extremists across the world.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Canada NewsWire | Ontario
By Ahmadiyya Muslim Community | February 24, 2011

Leaders warn about the rising tide of religious extremism that has the potential of reaching the safe shores of Canada

VAUGHAN, ON, Feb. 24 /CNW/ - Community, faith and civic leaders are gathering at the Baitul Islam Mosque, in Maple Ontario at a special seminar to discuss the ongoing religious extremism across the Globe. They will be joined by delegates from across Greater Toronto Area and representatives of federal and provincial government.

"Religious extremism has destroyed the social, economic and moral fabric of societies", said Lal Khan Malik, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Canada. "If unchecked, this extremist ideology will not remain limited to the third world. It has the potential of disrupting our homeland", he added emphasizing the need of hosting this symposium.

Indonesia: For Ahmadiyah, the Official Line Kills

This effective impunity, combined with the government's support for an anti-Ahmadiyah decree and Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali's call for an outright ban on Ahmadiyah, has sent a message that the Ahmadis are fair game. 

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: HRW | The Jakarta Globe
By Elaine Pearson | February 24, 2011

Last July, violence erupted when municipal police and hundreds of people organized by militant Islamist groups tried to break into an Ahmadiyah mosque in Manis Lor village, West Java.

At the time, I made an eerily prescient statement to the media: "When the Indonesian authorities sacrifice the rights of religious minorities to appease hard-line Islamist groups, this simply causes more violence. While the police rightly stopped mobs from entering the mosque, their failure to arrest a single person will only embolden these groups to use violence again."

UK: Morden mosque mourns Indonesian Ahmadiyya murders

Faith and political leaders signed a condolence book for three Ahmadiyya muslims who were murdered in Indonesia by Islamic extremists who do considered them to be infidels.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit:  Wimbledon Guardian | UK
By Omar Oakes | February 25, 2011

Devastating murders against a religious minority prompted an outpouring of anger against extremism at a Morden mosque on Friday.

Faith and political leaders signed a condolence book for three Ahmadiyya muslims who were murdered in Indonesia by Islamic extremists who do considered them to be infidels.

Indonesia: MUI Official Blames Government for Bogor Attack on Ahmadiyah

“The government does not take strict measures [against sects]. There is an MUI edict from 2005 banning Ahmadiyah and the joint decree from three ministers in 2008 that bans Ahmadiyah from spreading..”

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Globe
By TJG | February 24, 2011

A religious figure told a court on Wednesday that the government’s failure to outlaw Ahmadiyah was to blame for a 2010 attack on the Islamic sect in Bogor’s Cisalada village.

Khaerul Yunus, a member of the advisory board of the Bogor branch of the Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI), told Cibinong District Court that the existence of Ahmadiyah was in violation of a 1965 law on religious blasphemy.

That law, he said, makes it illegal to “publicize, recommend or organize public support” for non-orthodox versions of the six religions recognized by the state.

“From that, your honor, it is clear that Ahmadiyah has violated the law,” Khaerul said, to cheers from members of conservative Muslim groups who packed the courtroom.

Ahmadiyah preaches that there was another prophet after Muhammad, while mainstream Muslims believe that Muhammad was the last prophet, Khaerul added.

He told the panel of judges that the attack on the Ahmadiyah community was the result of the government’s lax attitude toward sects in the country.

“The government does not take strict measures [against sects]. There is an MUI edict from 2005 banning Ahmadiyah and the joint decree from three ministers in 2008 that bans Ahmadiyah from spreading its faith,” he said.

“The government merely issued the regulation but has failed to check whether it is being followed.”

The attack in October 2010 saw a mob burn down houses, schools and a mosque in Cisalada, which is home to about 600 Ahmadiyah members.

Also taking the witness stand on Wednesday was Rendy Apriayansah, a Cisalada resident who was allegedly stabbed by an Ahmadiyah member during the mob attack.

He told the court that he and 10 of his friends went to the Ahmadiyah housing complex to “have a discussion” with the leaders of the group after noticing that there was a television set inside the sect’s mosque.

“There should not be a television set inside a mosque,” he said.

“But after we had spent about 15 minutes inside the mosque, the electricity suddenly went off and we ran outside. I was stabbed by an Ahmadiyah member when I tried to escape through the front door.”

When questioned by the presiding judge, Astriwati, about how he knew he had been stabbed by an Ahmadiyah member, Rendy went back and forth before being reminded by the judge that he was under oath.

“I think I was stabbed by an Ahmadiyah member,” he replied.

Bogor Police deployed 150 officers to secure the hearing, which was adjourned until March 9. Vento Saudale


Read original post here: MUI Official Blames Government for Bogor Attack

Eye on Justice: Nearby Uprisings Stoke Saudis' Political Passions

"We expect change everywhere. That includes Saudi Arabia, "if you ignore the rights of people. We don't know. Who knows? Real change is required to recognize that democracy is not a Western demand. It is a universal one."

Photo: AP/Hassan Ammar/NPR

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: NPR | Middle East
By Deborah Amos | February 23, 2011

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah promised $35 billion in benefits to Saudi citizens as he returned to the kingdom Wednesday after three months of medical treatments for back problems.

The 87-year-old monarch said the new social programs are a gift to address major economic issues: housing, unemployment and government pay.

But Saudis have been inspired by the changes in Egypt, Tunisia and now in neighboring Bahrain. More than ever before, they are demanding political reform in the kingdom.

Poetic Politics: Are the Afghans one of the lost tribes of Israel?

Some Affghauns claim a descent from Israel. According to them, Affghaun was the nephew of Asaph, the son of Berachia, who built the temple of Solomon.

Photo: adishakti.org

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: News Time | Opinion
By Lyndall Beddy | February 19, 2011

It was in the nineteenth century …that the West began to take a more serious interest in the countries of the Far East, and reports began to filter in from several Western explorers describing their astonishment at encountering tribes all over the north-west of India who were clearly of Jewish descent.

The missionary doctor Joseph Wolff, for example, reported:

All the Jews of Turkistan assert that the Turkomauns are the descendents of Togarmah, one of the sons of Gomar, mentioned in Genesis 10:3…..but in the reign of Gheghis Khan they lost all their written accounts…..

Some Affghauns claim a descent from Israel. According to them, Affghaun was the nephew of Asaph, the son of Berachia, who built the temple of Solomon. The descendents of Afhhaunn, being Jews, were carried into Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, from whence they were removed to the mountain of Ghoree in Affghanistan, but in the time of Mohammed turned Mohammedans.

Faith and practice: Thousands offer prayers at Kashmir Valley's Hazratbal shrine

'Unless there is peace, there would be no normalcy and unless there is normalcy my grandchildren cannot be educated properly. Thus, I prayed for peace, well-being and prosperity for my family in particular and the Muslim Umma in general,'

Photo: Tauseef Mustafa / AFP - Getty Images / NBC

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: Sify | India
By SIFY | February 16, 2011

Srinagar, Feb 16 (IANS) Thousands of people braved the cold and inclement weather Wednesday to offer prayers at Kashmir Valley's holiest Muslim shrine of Hazratbal in summer capital Srinagar to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Mohammad.

Dressed in warm clothes, men, women and children converged at the shrine on the banks of the Dal Lake to have a glimpse of the Holy Relic (a hair of the Prophet's beard) after each namaz.

Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet's birthday) was celebrated by Muslims throughout the world.

Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law

After all, a law that stipulates that all alleged cases of defiling a copy or a portion of the Holy Quran does not require proof of intent and should be tried by a ‘Muslim judge’ (Section 295 C of the Penal Code) in a multiethnic society, is fundamentally unjust. Such a law fulfils anything but the requirement of the legal system, i.e. pursuit of justice.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Islamonline.net_Doha | Cross-post
By Farwin Fousdeen | February 23, 2011

Policing Belief.. The Impact of Blasphemy Laws on Human Rights – Pakistan is a Freedom House Publication which examines Pakistan’s notorious, headline hype worthy blasphemy laws. The Report cited by UNHCR and Refworld, weighs the validity of the blasphemy law against each one of fundamental articles enshrined in the ICCPR, to which Pakistan became a signatory in June 2010; 44 years after the Covenant was opened for signature.

The country scores dismally on each weigh-in, from freedom of expression, to freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman & degrading treatment. The report concluded; “the country is unique in the severity of abuses arising from the application of its blasphemy laws, and in the frequency with which the laws are invoked to prosecute individuals and justify vigilantism.

Indonesia: Accused terrorist Bashir Says Ahmadiyah Worse than the PKI

Speaking to reporters at the South Jakarta District Court on Thursday, Bashir said the government must disband the Muslim sect or face being disbanded itself.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Globe
By Heru Andriyanto | February 24, 2011

Firebrand cleric Abu Bakar Bashir on Thursday attacked Ahmadiyah as being “poisonous” to Islam.

Speaking to reporters at the South Jakarta District Court on Thursday, Bashir said the government must disband the Muslim sect or face being disbanded itself.

He also described the Ahmadiyah sect as being crueler than the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

USA: Muslims Work to Promote Leadership Among St. Louis Youth

This is not a trivial pursuit for us. As an international organization the AMC encourages our youth to embrace diversity and awareness by traveling locally, regionally, nationally and globally. Both the young men’s and women’s organizations have experiences that take them to regional and national leadership events.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: St. Louis Islam Examiner
By Basiyr Rodney | February 23rd, 2011

Today, my wife and I had a delightful conversation with veteran St. Louis media radio host and icon - Bernie Hayes on his show. As we spent the time talking and thinking together three questions came up that got us both reflecting and chatting after the show. These questions were so earnest and poignant that I feel the need to address them in a deeper way than we were able to on air. In my Examiner pieces this week I will reflect on these three questions and the role of Islam in tackling some of these topical urban issues

Question 1:
What kind of activities are their in your community for young people?

This question has come up frequently from different people as I move around St. Louis. It is an important question even among members of the Muslim community.

CIA man in Pakistan may not have immunity

Davis shot and killed two men in disputed circumstances while driving in the eastern city of Lahore last month; the U.S. maintains he acted in self-defense. An American vehicle that was dispatched from the "safe house" where Davis was living in Lahore then struck and killed a Pakistani bystander while rushing to the scene to pick up Davis.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Salon | War Room Blog
By Justin Elliott | February 23, 2011

A former State Department lawyer says real questions remain about the legal status of Raymond Davis

An expert who previously worked in a key State Department diplomatic affairs position is questioning the Obama administration's claim that Raymond Davis, the American currently imprisoned in Pakistan after killing two men, has diplomatic immunity.

A specialist in diplomatic law, Ron Mlotek served for 25 years as legal counsel at the State Department Office of Foreign Missions, which regulates foreign missions in the United States. In an interview with Salon, Mlotek said there remain crucial unanswered questions in the case, and that the question of Davis' immunity is not nearly as clear-cut as the administration has argued.

Amnesty International calls on Indonesia to protect the Ahmadiyya minority group

"We welcome the efforts to investigate the violence that led to the death of three Ahmadiyya followers in Cikeusik, but it`s essential that the Indonesian government demonstrate that it will seriously investigate and address all attacks on religious minorities."

File photo: Ahmadiya homes / mosques burned by Islamist mobs

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Europe Online
By Europa | February 23, 2011

Amnesty International on Wednesday urged the Indonesian government to repeat its commitment to protecting the right to freedom of religion in the face of calls from radical groups to outlaw a religious minority community.

Several hundred members of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and other groups staged a demonstration in the capital Jakarta on Friday, calling on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to disband the Ahmadiyya group. A second protest is planned outside the Presidential Palace for Tuesday.

"The Indonesian government must state, clearly and publicly, that it will protect the rights of all Indonesian citizens, regardless of their religion - and that includes the rights of the Ahmadiyya community," said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International`s Asia-Pacific Director. "The President should denounce public statements inciting violence against the Ahmadiyya and take steps to ensure that all religious minorities are protected and allowed to practise their faith free from fear, intimidation and persecution."

Indonesia: Ahmadiyah Disbandment undemocratic

The state has been ignorant witnessing violent acts taking place unashamedly in public life. This is the great mistake of our democracy when civic seedlings grow wild and endanger the tree of state. The Tocquevellian idea that civil associations contribute to democratization can only be understood in the framework of a strong state. 

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Post | Opinion
By Jajang Jahroni | February 24, 2011

During the commemoration of National Press Day in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urged state apparatus to evaluate the presence of mass-organizations involved in acts of violence and, if necessary, to disband them.

But this idea is likely to fail not because of a threat from hard-line Muslim group FPI (Islam Defenders Front) to topple the government or the recent meeting between the Home Minister and FPI leader Habib Rizieq, but because it lacks reasonable judgment and risks radicalizing wider groups of believers and escalating riots.

Whereas this idea may hurt freedom of expression and freedom of association, the question that may arise next is how persecution, intimidation and violence will come to an end while the same people are still on the streets. Instead of disbanding them, the government should enforce the law and regulate them. There are some arguments regarding this issue.

First, most of the mass-organizations involved in the violent acts are community-based organizations. They created their communities long before they formed their organizations. The decision to formalize was simply a strategy to achieve their goals. If formalization is deemed necessary, they will create it. If not, they will go back to their community for further promulgation (dakwah).

Pakistan: Blasphemy Law "Categorically Excluded" from Reform

...[T]he entire incident ... highlighted the central fact that the blasphemy law remains firmly in place; as AsiaNew.it observed, “Yousaf Raza Gilani, Prime Minister of Pakistan, ‘categorically excluded’ amendments to the law on blasphemy.”

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: The New American
By James Heiser | 23 February 2011

The campaign in Pakistan against Parliamentarian Sherry Rehman is emphasizing the same brutal aspect of Islamic law which was written in blood at the time of the assassination of Governor Salman Taseer: Any politician who opposes the imposition of the death penalty for blasphemy has "proven" that they too are guilty of blasphemy.

When Taseer, the governor of Punjab, was murdered earlier this year by one of his bodyguards, his death was lauded by many Muslims in Pakistan because he had favored clemency for a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, whom he believed has been falsely convicted of blasphemy against Mohammed.

Indonesia: Banning Ahmadiyah

The RI government must avoid more muddle-headed thinking on Ahmadiyah; this group has a right under the Constitution to exist and to believe what they like and not be dictated to, either by mainstream Islam or by the government.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Post | Readers Forum
By Nairdah | February 22, 2011

In a genuine secular democracy, a government should not be involved in banning — or endorsing — any religious faith. The fact that two religious faiths have disagreements should not be a basis for the government to take sides.

Governments should facilitate religious tolerance in democracies, not take sides as Indonesia’s has done in the case of Ahmadiyah. The government has succumbed to doing what mainstream Islam demands. The government does not have the wisdom or religious mandate to determine who is right in terms of beliefs; they are, after all, just two sets of beliefs, and it is not for man to decide who is right and who is not right.

Indonesia: PPP lawmaker interrupts plenary, discussing Ahmadiyah

Hasrul Azhar interrupted a House of Representatives' plenary session suddenly on Tuesday, only to ask House speakers to officially declare the minor Islamic sect Ahmadiyah illegal.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Post | National
By Bagus BT Saragih | February 22, 2011

Hasrul Azhar, the House Islamic United Development Party (PPP) chairman, has proposed the establishment of legislative inquiry on Ahmadiyah.

Hasrul interrupted a House of Representatives' plenary session suddenly on Tuesday, only to ask House speakers to officially declare the minor Islamic sect Ahmadiyah illegal.

"Ahmadiyah has become the source of social conflicts and violence. It is deviant and could bring deviance to Muslims.

Sierra Leone: Ahmadiyya Peace And Tolerance Symposium Concludes

Alhaji UNS Jah congratulated the Amir and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat for organizing the annual conference in Bo, which he said was very successful. He emphasized the importance for Muslims to seek knowledge before passing-on religious messages.

File photo: Ahmadiyya Muslim convention

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: All Africa | News
By Alhaji Mansaray | February 22m 2011

Freetown — A one-day symposium on the theme "Peace and Tolerance" organized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat ended at the Miatta conference hall in Freetown over the weekend.

In his keynote address, the special guest from the supreme head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat at the just concluded Ahmadiyya conference in Bo, Maulana Mubarak Ahmad Nzir Sahih, described Sierra Leone as the most religious-tolerant country in the world. He said he has traveled right across the globe and has never seen a nation and people that are so religious tolerant like Sierra Leoneans.

He urged all to know that "Islam is a religion of tolerance" and that "the meaning of Islam is peace". He said it is the responsibility of Muslims to bring people together and that they should not discriminate.

Indonesia must commit to freedom of religion

An interview with FPI Chairman Habib Rizieq Syihab was posted on the group's website on 18 February in which he reportedly stated: "… if today, just three infidel Ahmadis were murdered, possibly tomorrow or the next day there will be thousands of Ahmadi infidels who will be slaughtered by Muslims."

File photo: Ahmadiyah representatives appear before the House

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Amnesty International
By Amnesty International | February 23, 2011

Amnesty International has urged the Indonesian government to repeat its commitment to protecting the right to freedom of religion in the face of calls from radical groups to outlaw a religious minority community.

Several hundred members of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and other groups staged a demonstration in the capital Jakarta on 18 February calling on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to disband the Ahmadiyya group. A second protest is planned outside the Presidential Palace for 1 March 2011.

"The Indonesian government must state, clearly and publicly, that it will protect the rights of all Indonesian citizens, regardless of their religion – and that includes the rights of the Ahmadiyya community," said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific Director.

Indonesia: US Representatives Question SBY over Ahmadiyah Attacks

"Religious tolerance is something that he feels strongly about and we share that concern. We deal with extremism in the United States on a regular basis."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Globe
By Camelia Pasandaran | February 23, 2011

United States Congress representatives visiting Jakarta on Wednesday demanded an explanation from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the Ahmadiyah mob attack.

“The issue of Ahmadiyah was raised by my colleague [Jim] McDermott and we have a very healthy discussion about that,” said David Dreier, chairman of House Democracy Partnership, at a press conference. “Obviously, the rule of law is critical.”

He said Yudhoyono told him that the Indonesian government was continually committed to upholding the rule of law.

Indonesia: Muhammadiyah avoids movement backing Ahmadiyah dissolution

Despite the fact that the government had a reason for not intervening into its people`s religious problems, it should take stern actions against those involving in violence.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: Antara News
By B Kunto Wibisono | February 22 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Muhammadiyah Chairman Din Syamsuddin said his organization would not involve in any movement supporting the dissolution of Ahmadiyah religious sect.

Instead, Muhammadiyah, Indonesia`s second biggest Islamic organization after Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), would do its best to prevent Muslims from being misled by Ahmadiyah followers, he said.

"It is the state`s power to take stern action by referring to our Constitution because the existence of a group in society is the state`s business," he said here Monday.

Speaking to newsmen in response to the unresolved Ahmadiyah matter, Din Syamsuddin said Muhammadiyah`s stance on this deviant sect had never changed since the issuance of a "fatwa" in 1933.

According to the "fatwa" that Muhammadiyah issued in 1933 or much earlier than those of Rabithan Alam Islami in 1979 and Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) in 2005, Ahmadiyah was "misleading", he said.

In response to the recent incident of sectarian violence in Banten province, he said the government tended to submit that to the people rather than take firm legal action.

Despite the fact that the government had a reason for not intervening into its people`s religious problems, it should take stern actions against those involving in violence, he said.

On February 18, a number of Islamic organizations and Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI) in Banten had asked the government to soon ban the Ahmadiyah sect in the province.

"Before the Cikeusik incident occurred on February 6, MUI had actually urged the provincial government to ban all activities of the Ahmadiyah sect," MUI-Banten chapter`s chairman KH Aminudin Ibrahim said.

MUI, Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, and Religious Followers` Harmony Forum (FKUB) in Banten Province had agreed to again call on the provincial government to ban all activities of Ahmadiyah,he said.

The ban could be imposed through a Banten governor`s or provincial government regulation, Ibrahim said.

A series of attacks on Ahmadiyah religious sect followers and their properties have occurred in some parts of Indonesia over the past two years.

The latest incident happened in Umbulan village Cikeusik subdistrict, Pandeglang district, Banten province, on February 6, killing three people.

In response to the latest incident, Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla said the cases of sectarian violence could be handled if firm law enforcement was implemented to the doers.

"Don`t let the perpetrators be untouched by the law. If it is so, there will be a feeling that if we kill or destroy properties in a mass, we think that the law cannot do anything," he said.



Read original post here: Muhammadiyah avoids movement backing Ahmadiyah dissolution

USA: Lawsuit alleges FBI violated Muslims' freedom of religion

FBI officials declined to comment on the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, but empasized that they are careful not to violate civil liberties when they use informants and do not target anyone based on religion or ethnicity.

FBI Informant Craig Monteilh, a.k.a. Farouk Aziz
(Photo: John Gilhooley / OC Weekly)

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: The Washington Post
By Jerry Markon | February 22, 2011

An FBI informant who infiltrated a California mosque violated the constitutional rights of hundreds of Muslims by targeting them for surveillance because of their religion, the ACLU and a Muslim group said in a lawsuit Tuesday.

The lawsuit, filed against the FBI and seven of its agents and supervisors, focuses on the actions several years ago of Craig Monteilh, a paid FBI informant. Monteilh has said he was instructed to spy on worshipers at an Irvine mosque in a quest for potential terrorists, allegations that prompted fierce criticism of the FBI from some Muslims in Southern California and nationwide.

The lawsuit alleges that Monteilh was ordered by his FBI handlers to conduct "indiscriminate surveillance" of Muslims, violating their First Amendment right to freedom of religion. Filed on behalf of three Muslim plaintiffs, the 64-page document seeks class action status, unspecified damages and a court order instructing the FBI to destroy or return the information Monteilh collected.

"The FBI should be spending its time and resources investigating actual threats, not spying on every American who happens to worship at a mosque,'' said Peter Bibring, a staff attorney for the ACLU of Southern California, which filed the complaint along with the Los Angeles office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.