We are indeed different, differences are not for us to equate, but to be cared for together with the values ​​of tolerance and humanity.

 Nuraini Chaniago

 08/16/2024

in Public

Ahmadiyya Women907

VIEWS

Mubadalah.id – Last July, a friend and I had the opportunity to visit the headquarters of the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Community, located in Parung, Bogor, West Java. My visit this time was actually in the context of research that we are currently conducting on the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Community with its civil, social and political rights as Indonesian citizens.

Ahmadiyyah is a legal spiritual organization that has several different interpretations of prophecy from Muslims in general.

However, despite all these differences in interpretation, in my personal opinion, having known friends, including Ahmadiyah women, more closely for the past few years, I see the beautiful practice of Islam that is implemented by the Ahmadiyah Congregation in many ways.

One of them is about the values ​​of peace, cleanliness, loving each other, sharing in goodness, and charity. In addition, many other things from the teachings of Islam that they always practice are no different from the teachings of Islam that I always want to practice. Namely without prioritizing religious symbolism,

A little story, my first encounter with the Ahmadiyah congregation occurred around 2020 more closely. Long story short, I have friends from Ahmadiyah and we do various humanitarian activities in several activities. Among others, peace, tolerance, and youth.

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My first impression when I set foot in the residence of my Ahmadiyah friends was the cleanliness of the environment which was always maintained. I always find this condition in other Ahmadiyah environments in various regions.

Not Forcing Beliefs

During our closeness, in the various activities we do, never once did our Ahmadiyah friends force their teachings on others. Moreover, it must be part of the same interpretation as what they understand. Even between us there is always cooperation, helping each other, and respecting each other without imposing each other’s beliefs.

Indonesia, as one of the countries with the largest Muslim majority in the world, is also a multicultural country. Starting from differences in ethnicity, culture, religion, language, skin color, and so on.

With the motto “Bhineka Tunggal Ika” which means different but still one, it becomes a guideline for us as Indonesian people. That the differences that exist in the body of Indonesia are an inevitability that we must maintain in the name of humanity. Namely with one goal, namely maintaining the integrity of the nation and state.

In addition to recognizing six major religions, Indonesia also has two community organizations that are the axis of Indonesian Islam in its religious practices, namely, Muhammadiyyah and Nahdatul Ulama (NU). In addition, there are still many other religions or beliefs that are embraced by the Indonesian people. One of them is Ahmadiyah itself.

Visit to Ahmadiyah Headquarters

Returning to the initial story, my visit to the Ahmadiyah Headquarters was also an opportunity to confirm many things about Ahmadiyah that have developed in society in general.

Then we discussed with the leaders of the Ahmadiyah congregation there, visited various centers of activity of the Ahmadiyah congregation, one of which was the office of the Ahmadiyah women carrying out internal and external activities in empowering Ahmadiyah women.

During the meeting and discussion with the Ahmadiyah mothers. I got many things from their stories as Ahmadiyah women. They struggle in many ways to maintain their existence as Ahmadiyah women until today. The community in their environment has begun to open up to the presence of this religious organization.

Although not all of the surrounding communities accept their existence. From the various conflicts that the Ahmadiyah Congregation has faced since 2005 to the 2000s, one of the parties that has become a double victim is the Ahmadiyah women themselves.

When acts of intolerance and discrimination occur, women often face greater challenges than men. Where, when women experience acts of intolerance, at the same time they are also vulnerable to gender-based violence, such as physical, mental, and sexual violence.

Challenges of Being an Ahmadiyya Woman

Ahmadiyah women also experience such things. When one of the mothers told me that she had to face not only intolerance, but also the challenge of taking care of her family as a marginalized group in many of her society’s social accesses.

As they struggle to empower each other as human women so that they can spread benefits to each other. At the same time, they must also struggle to free themselves and their families from the stigma of being heretical and must be destroyed. This accusation has been attached to them as Ahmadiyah women for a long time.

Their access and role in public spaces are still very limited and are often discriminated against by the surrounding community. Even stakeholders have played a role in not giving them their rights as Indonesian people in public spaces, just because they are Ahmadiyah.

Hopefully, the spirit of independence can make us reflect on each other, that Indonesia is a shared home inhabited by many differences. But still in the same goal, namely humanity. No exception to marginalized groups.

We are indeed different, differences are not for us to equate, but for us to care for together with the values ​​of tolerance and humanity. Let’s liberate each other as harmonious Indonesian people in the framework of this diversity. []

Tags: Women’s Human RightsjusticehumanityindependenceEqualityAhmadiyya WomenReflectiontolerance

Nuraini Chaniago

Writer/Peace Ambassador of West Sumatra

source https://mubadalah.id/refleksi-kemerdekaan-dan-beban-ganda-perempuan-ahmadiyah-di-ruang-publik/