Indonesians: Ahmadiyah or FPI?

I wonder, if Indonesians (mainly the Muslims) had the choice to get rid of a religious ‘deviant’ in Indonesia, would they choose FPI or the Ahmadiyahs?

THE FPI

I have grown up watching television news with my parents – whether I wanted to, or not. It became more intense after the liberalization of the mass media in Indonesia in 1998.

I remember, specifically, every time, approaching the holy season of Ramadhan, the news channels in Indonesia will pack its programs with live footages of the Islamic activities that are going around in Jakarta, and around.

From commercials of the acts of forgiving and tolerance as the values of Islam to mini festivals that are simply held in rural villages.

Year to year, the programs have varied and have been progressive in promoting Islam as a tolerant religion in embracing religious pluralism in Indonesia.

But year to year, the so called “Islamic Defenders Front” or better known as, FPI, keeps defeating the values of these programs.

During the fasting season, the FPI marches around Jakarta looking for preys that they think are violating ‘Islamic’ rights.

They don’t preach, nor do they warn these ‘violators’, but instead they immediately attack. They would ransack the places, tearing down at whatever they can get their hands on. Even humans.

I have watched the violence of FPI being reported year after year after year, and I wondered, how is it, after so long, that a group of barbarians who claim they are fighting for Islam, is still allowed to exist? And worse, getting bigger?

(And as you all know, if one is fighting to eradicate sinful acts in Jakarta, he/she is fighting an eternal battle)

THE AHMADIS

And there is the recent sensation of another so-called ‘deviant’ Islamic sect, called the Ahmadiyah Islam.

In my entire life of watching Indonesian TV, I have never heard of Ahmadiyah Islam, nor have I heard any problems with them.

Only until recently when there is a possible decree imposed against Ahmadiyah, declaring it as a banned religion.

Then I found out that Ahmadiyah Islam has existed in Indonesia since the 1920s, and what differs them from mainstream Islam is the fact that they do not acknowledge Muhammad as the last prophet.

However, that is beside the point.

What I want to stress is the fact, how is it after so long of peaceful relations between the Ahmadis and the mainstream Muslims, can it be so ugly right now?

And why is it, the fact that they do not cause any problems or conflicts in Indonesia, is the government considering issuing a decree to the Ahmadis?

I, for one, do not think it is a complicated situation. What is the dilemma all about?

As a perspective from a non-Muslim, like me, I find it shameful and preposterous that the Islamic Ministry of Indonesia has chosen Ahmadiyah as a defiant religion, stating that they do not have the same values of mainstream Islam. BUT, ignoring years after years of FPI’s violent actions that claimed to be done in the name of Islam!

If I know one thing about the common values that all religions teach, that would be Peace.

Sunday’s incident, whereby the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) attacked the National Alliance for Freedom of Religion and Faith at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta, acted as a wake-up drill for all Indonesians.

President has said he “condemned the acts” of the FPI.

The Youth Movement of National Awakening group has also called the government on disbanding FPI, as it warned that it is a dangerous element in Indonesia.

And from the latest news out there, the Indonesian government is looking into suspending FPI in the near future, with the possibility of disbanding it as a permanent result.

FPI has also waged war against the Ahmadiyah Islam, and promised not to allow any interference; even from the government and that they will flight until their last drop of blood.

Let us wage the war against FPI.

(Don’t worry, no blood involved)

I do not know how valid or functional is this online petition against FPI, but hell, it’s a start.

http://www.petitiononline.com/noFPI/petition.html

For those of you who want to know how sick FPI is, here’s a start:

http://fpi-online.blogspot.com/ (Apparently, they are smart enough to blog)