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Ash-hadu anla ilaha illallahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasoolullah

PRESS RELEASE STATEMENT OF JEMAAT AHMADIYAH INDONESIA IN RESPONSE TO NEWS IN PRESS/MEDIA ON THE STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO ON BANNING AHMADIYYA MOVEMENT

Jemaat Ahmadiyah Indonesia (JAI) welcomes the statement by Coordinator Minister of Public Welfare Alwi Shihab as quoted in Jakarta Post (August 11, 2005) that the government will neither ban Ahmadiyya Movement nor dissolve it. If Indonesian Ulema Council (Majlis Ulama Indonesia, MUI) pursues the issue on Ahmadiyya Movement, it is advised to proceed through court system. On the other hand, according to press/media on August 16, 2005, in front of the medal recipients, President stated that the Office of State Prosecutors (Kejaksaan) had formerly forbidden activities of Ahmadiyya Movement (Kompas, August 18, 2005).

We hereby state that:

1. We are very regretful that the government c.q. the Office of State Prosecutors had ever prohibited Ahmadiyya Movement provided that President’s statement is correct. Last time, the attorney of Jemaat Ahmadiyah Indonesia, Dr. Adnan Buyung Nasution had directly met Attorney General of Republic of Indonesia and asked him whether there had been any prohibition? The Attorney General replied that any regulations/orders to ban Ahmadiyya Movement in Indonesia had not been produced from his office.
2. Jemaat Ahmadiyah Indonesia (JAI) has existed since the year of 1925, and JAI has been officially recognized to have legal status in 1953 with decree of Minister of Justice Republic of Indonesia on 13 March 1953, No. JA.5/23/13 (Addendum to State Pronouncement Republic of Indonesia dated 31 March 1953 No. 25). It had fulfilled the condition of State Law (Undang-undang, UU) No. 8 year 1985 with the amended Rules and Regulations on 26 June 1989 (Addendum to State Pronouncement dated 15 August 1989 No. 65) and on 30 June 1990. All annual events such Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) and Social Activities until 2005 always received permission from KAPOLRI (National Chief of Police of Republic of Indonesia). Provided that activities of Jemaat Ahmadiyah Indonesia had ever been forbidden, it is impossible for Police of Republic Indonesia to issue letters of permission.
3. Since Indonesian Ulema Council MUI gave a fatwa (religious edict) declaring that Ahmadiyya Movement is outside the pale of Islam, heretical and deceiving, there have been violence and anarchy against members of Jemaat Ahmadiyah Indonesia such as in Lombok Timur, Manislor, Tasikmalaya, Parung, Garut, Ciaruteun, Sadasari, and other regions as well. The assaults have not been limited to destruction of worship places, houses, and other material means but also prohibition of worship and other activities, harassment with sharp weapons even homicide and other terror acts that cause restlessness to all members of Jemaat Ahmadiyah Indonesia.
4. Nevertheless, we support and thank President’s insistence not to apply violence/anarchy in resolving differences as it is according to the Constitution (Undang-Undang Dasar, UUD 1945) in Republic of Indonesia and the laws of the land; any compulsion from one party to others due to differences, to any form of anarchism, are not accepted by any religion, violate Human Rights, and will destroy the unity of the nation. Therefore, we appeal to press and all parties not to extract incomplete information as it will create mischief.
5. All lawsuits towards responsible parties have been submitted through team of attorneys led by Dr. Adnan Buyung Nasution along with Institution of Public Defenders (Lembaga Bantuan Hukum) throughout the country of Indonesia.

Jakarta, 21 August 2005


signed

H. ABDUL BASIT
National Amir
Jemaat Ahmadiyah Indonesia