ICRP urges the Kuningan Regency Government to revoke the ban on the implementation of the Jalsah Salanah for the Ahmadiyah Congregation in Manislor Village, Kuningan, West Java.
December 7, 2024 |
TEMPO.CO , Jakarta – The Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace (ICRP) urged the Kuningan Regency government to revoke the ban on the annual gathering or Jalsah Salanah of the Ahmadiyah Congregation which was originally planned to be held in Manislor Village, Kuningan, West Java.
ICRP Executive Director Ilma Sovri Yanti assessed that the ban violates the freedom of religion and belief that has been guaranteed by the constitution. “The government as the implementer of the constitution has openly and intentionally violated the 1945 Constitution by banning the JALSA Salana JAI which is a form of religious expression,” said Ilma in an official statement, quoted on December 7, 2024.
According to Ilma, in the context of monitoring violations of religious freedom, it is necessary to look further into whether the state is involved either actively or passively. ICRP also urges the central government, especially the Ministry of Religion and the Ministry of Home Affairs, to correct the decision of the Kuningan Regency government.READ ALSO
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“ICRP actively encourages the Indonesian National Police through local police officers to mobilize apparatus resources to provide security guarantees in the implementation of the 2024 JAI Jalsah Salanah,” said Ilma.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation expressed confusion over the ban on activities issued by the Kuningan Regency Government. “Last year the deputy regent also welcomed it, in 2023 it went smoothly without any problems. Now why is this a problem,” said the JAI public relations team, Buldan Burhanudin, Friday, December 6, 2024. Buldan also said that JAI was not given room to negotiate after the sudden cancellation of the activity.READ ALSO
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Meanwhile, Acting Regent of Kuningan Agus Toyib claimed that the Ahmadiyah congregation was willing to cancel the Jalsah Salanah activity. “From the Ahmadiyah congregation, they conveyed that in order to be conducive, they canceled this activity and will not carry it out,” said Agus Toyib, Friday, December 6, 2024.
Agus said participants who had come from outside Kuningan Regency had been accompanied by officers to return to their respective areas. Meanwhile, the facilities that had been prepared for this activity had also been dismantled.
The decision to ban the Jalsah Salanah activity was taken after the Kuningan Regency Government held a meeting with the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), religious leaders, and community leaders. The reason, according to Agus, is to maintain security and conduciveness in Kuningan Regency.
RMN Ivansyah contributed to the writing of this article.
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