Joint Decree Against Ahmadiyah Case Can Be Issued
Friday, 09 May, 2008 | 16:12 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The head of the constitutional court Jimly Asshiddiqie said the government's decision to stop the Ahmadiyah movement can be opposed through the law. “Every state regulation that harms society can be opposed,” said Jimly in a discussion with the alliance for freedom of faith in Jakarta yesterday.

Jimly suggested that the Ahmadiyah case be treated by a trial. The summons against the government can be submitted to the constitutional court or the Supreme Court, State Administrative Court (PTUN) or civil lawsuit. “We will wait for the joint decree to be completed,” he said.

Two days ago, the government promised to be careful in issuing the joint decree banning the Ahmadiyah group. Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto said, “It will take longer to complete the joint decree. This is best to avoid conflict.” The government will consider public aspirations.

Jimly said both the government and Ahmadiyah can use the judicial approach. There will be rational argument at the court. However, Jimly did not mention specifically the best course to solve Ahmadiyah’s case. “We cannot teach them,” he said. Jimly suggested that the public be tolerant to avoid violence.

The constitutional judge Mohammad Laica Marzuki suggested Ahmadiyah dialog with various parties before the joint decree is officially issued.

Meanwhile, former state secretary Yusril Ihza Mahendra thought that the joint decree is illegal. The politician from the Crescent Star Party (PBB) recommended Ahmadiyah is stated as a non-Islam minority group. Hence, Ahmadiyah cannot use the Islamic symbol any more. “Their place of worship should not be called as a mosque any more. In Pakistan, it is called a temple,” he said in Jakarta yesterday.

Several Islamic teachers from Java arrived at the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) to deliver their aspirations regarding the Ahmadiyah case. But they did not meet with MUI leaders as the meeting had not been scheduled.

Sutarto | Akbar Tri Kurniawan | Titis Setianingtyas