Siti Fatimah – detikJabar
Saturday, 21 Dec 2024

Illustration of tolerance. (Photo: Edi Wahyono/detikcom)

Sukabumi -As the hustle and bustle of the regional elections echoes across West Java, especially in Sukabumi, one community walks in silence. It is the Ahmadiyah, a group that is often marginalized in political dynamics. In the midst of the noisy campaign, a simple question arises, where is their position in this democratic party?
In one corner of Sukabumi Regency, precisely in Parakansalak Village RT 2 RW 3 Parakansalak District, stands a small settlement that is home to Ahmadiyah followers. The majority of residents here are accustomed to stigma, rejection, and discrimination.

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A friendly smile from a white-haired man wearing batik greeted detikJabar when they visited his residence. The man was none other than Asep Saepudin (74), a figure and also the Chairman of Ahmadiyah in Parakansalak.

Asep’s figure had been in the international spotlight in 2008, when the Al Furqon mosque was burned by a group of people. From detikJabar’s investigation , the news about the burning of the Ahmadiyah mosque was covered by leading foreign media such as The New York Times, LA Times and Reuters.

In 2024, the regional election period brings mixed feelings between hopes for inclusion, as well as doubts about the candidates’ sweet promises. For the Ahmadiyah organization, politics is often not considered a safe space.
According to Asep, no campaign team or candidate officially came to conduct socialization to their community. In fact, he had put forward an open attitude. Asep also admitted that he had received information that one of the candidates would visit them but that ended up being just a figment of the imagination.

“If anyone wants to come, please do. The campaign team did not come, it was just information that someone would come. For me, it’s open, please come if they want to because they also have an obligation to provide socialization. What I noticed here is that no one is doing socialization, frankly, openly, there is none,” said Asep when met at his residence some time ago.

In every regional election, the Ahmadiyah Congregation as an organization has indeed emphasized its neutral stance. Practical politics are not allowed to carry the name of the organization, but each member is given the freedom to use their right to vote.

“We, Ahmadiyah, are not a political organization, all Ahmadiyah members are given the freedom to vote. Personal practical politics are allowed but must not be done in the name of the organization, it is permitted, and in fact the Ahmadiyah leadership in Indonesia has instructed that Ahmadiyah must not abstain from voting. Everyone must voice their right to vote,” he said.

In the midst of this election atmosphere, Asep Saepudin expressed a simple hope for his community. With a trembling tone, he said that they do not need defense, they only want to get the same rights as citizens in general.

“We just want our rights as citizens to be the same as others. Although there are differences in understanding religion, this is not about belief. This is about the right to live as citizens, meaning we do not have to be defended but our rights must be the same,” said Asep.

Asep emphasized that the Ahmadiyah Congregation is a legal and incorporated organization in Indonesia. He also hopes that the government can be wise in responding to various issues circulating. “Sometimes there is a misperception because people don’t know directly. If anyone is curious, ask us directly. Don’t just listen to what people say,” he continued.

Asep Saepudin. (Photo: Siti Fatimah/detikJabar)
Sweet Promises of Regional Head Candidates

Issues of tolerance, differences in beliefs and religiosity are often topics discussed in public debates every five years. Each candidate competes with ideas and makes promises to get the votes of minority groups. Differences in beliefs that often become a source of conflict, in this election moment are responded to with a more inclusive approach by the gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial candidates.

Ronal Surapradja, the vice gubernatorial candidate from the Jeje-Ronal pair, emphasized the importance of diversity as the wealth of West Java. He introduced the MESRA (Merawat Silaturahmi Antar Umat Beragama) program, an initiative designed to strengthen communication between religious communities down to the sub-district level. For Ronal, maintaining harmony is key.

“Indonesia is diverse, not uniform. Diversity is a gift, not a problem,” Ronal said in a public debate. This program, he said, will ensure that all citizens, including minority groups, feel protected and respected,” Ronal said.

Meanwhile, Ilham Akbar Habibie, the vice gubernatorial candidate from the other pair, brings a more personal perspective. His experience living as a minority in Germany is the background to his views on tolerance. “The foundation of West Java’s progress is tolerance of differences, especially in religion,” he said.

He added that a leader should not show intolerance in any form, even in jokes. Ilham assessed that tolerance is not just a concept, but an attitude that must be exemplified by leaders to prevent insults and chaos in society.

Jeje Wiradinata, the gubernatorial candidate from the Jeje-Ronal pair, brought the concept of PELITA (Interfaith Education Program) to instill a sense of mutual trust and understanding between religions. He highlighted the importance of interfaith education that is applied widely, even at the local level in areas with high diversity.

“Intolerance conflicts often arise due to a lack of trust and understanding of each other,” he said. Jeje also proposed expanding the Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB) to the village level, making it more inclusive and closer to the community.

The statements of these candidates show that tolerance is not only a commitment, but also a development strategy. It is not only about choosing a leader, but also about fighting for equality and rights for all citizens regardless of their background.

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Amid the dynamics of the Sukabumi Pilkada, the Ahmadiyah Parakansalak Congregation continues to maintain their voting rights. Their greatest hope is the recognition of equal rights as Indonesian citizens without discrimination.

“We want to elect a leader who is fair, fair in all matters, including freedom of worship and belief,” concluded Asep Saepudin.

(orb/orb)

Baca artikel detikjabar, “Potret Ahmadiyah Sukabumi dalam Bayang-bayang Janji Politik” selengkapnya https://www.detik.com/jabar/berita/d-7697032/potret-ahmadiyah-sukabumi-dalam-bayang-bayang-janji-politik.

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source

https://www.detik.com/jabar/berita/d-7697032/potret-ahmadiyah-sukabumi-dalam-bayang-bayang-janji-politik