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March 06, 2006

Ahmadiyah followers lack of food, water

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Members of the Ahmadiyah Muslim sect, deemed heretical by some for their nonconventional beliefs, are complaining of food and water shortages at the transmigration transit center in Mataram they have been sheltering in since being driven from their homes last month.

Ahmadiyah’s leader in Ketapang village, Zainal Abidin, said Monday the relief aid provided by the West Lombok Social Affairs Office for the 32 families, or 135 people, was inadequate.

“The food assistance in the form of rice, instant noodles, tempeh and tofu is not enough,” he said.

The families have also faced clean water shortages for the past two weeks, and many of the displaced people, around 20 percent of them children, are now suffering from diarrhea and skin diseases.

West Lombok regency spokesman Basirun Anear said authorities were still discussing whether the families would be allowed to return to their village. — JP

Source: www.thejakartapost.com/detailnational.asp?fileid=20060307.D05&irec=8