If we continue to allow discrimination against the Ahmadiyya Community in the name of social stability, if we continue to turn a blind eye to the suffering of minority groups, then we have failed to understand the meaning of Bhineka Tunggal Ika and Pancasila.
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Mubadalah.id – The Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia firmly guarantees the right of every citizen to embrace a religion and practice worship according to their beliefs. However, in practice, this guarantee is often misused by political interests, pressure from the majority group, and narrow fanaticism in the name of religion. One group that has been a victim of repeated discrimination is the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI).
The latest case (11/06/2025) occurred in Banjar City, West Java. A JAI mosque was sealed by the local government. A large banner with a prohibition on activities was attached in front of the house of worship.
The Banjar City Government argued that it was to enforce Banjar Mayor Regulation Number 10 of 2011 and Mayor Decree Number 45/KPTS.155-Huk/2011 which froze JAI activities in the area. They argued that this action was taken to maintain “social stability”.
But how can stability be achieved by closing down certain groups’ places of worship? Isn’t it the opposite, injustice and discrimination being the most obvious source of conflict?
Minorities Often Become Victims
In a healthy democratic system, the state should be present as a protector for all citizens. Including regardless of ethnicity, religion, or belief. But in many cases concerning the Ahmadiyah Congregation, the state has actually become part of the perpetrators of discrimination through its policies.
The Ahmadiyah congregation not only faces pressure from intolerant sections of society, but also from state institutions themselves. They have been banned from holding religious meetings, had difficulty registering marriages, were rejected when applying for ID cards, and were officially labeled as heretics. Even the state that should protect them has also stigmatized and discriminated against them.
In fact, Article 28E paragraph (1) and (2) of the 1945 Constitution clearly states that everyone has the right to embrace a religion and worship according to their religion.
Even Article 29 of the 1945 Constitution paragraph (2) states that the state guarantees the freedom of every citizen to practice their own religion. Does this constitutional guarantee only apply to the majority religious group?
The Dangers of Religious Fanaticism
The issue of religious freedom in Indonesia cannot be separated from the fanaticism that is developing in some parts of society.
This narrow fanaticism is born from the belief that only one interpretation of religion is correct, and the others must be wrong, misguided, and even must be eliminated. From this belief, stigmatization, exclusion, and even violence against the Ahmadiyah group was born.
Fanaticism like this not only damages the social order, but also injures the basic values of all religions, including Islam.
In fact, Islam itself teaches mercy for the universe ( rahmatan lil ‘alamin ), not a tool to justify violence and hatred. Therefore, the stigmatization of JAI as a deviant group is very contrary to the basic principles of Islamic teachings.
Be humble
In the Islamic treasury, there is the concept of tawasuth , which is being moderate, fair, and not extreme in viewing differences.
This attitude is very relevant for a multicultural society like Indonesia. Tawasuth rejects extremism on both sides, both rigid and fanatical, and liberal. He stands in the middle, offering a path of peace, mutual respect, and tolerance.
For me, this is the attitude that must be developed, both by society and by policy makers.
Moreover, if the state really wants to maintain all differences including for the Ahmadiyah Congregation. Then it must be a pioneer in grounding the values of tawasuth (moderation), not strengthening discriminatory policies. Especially to the point of labeling the Ahmadiyah Congregation as a deviant group.
A Test for Our Democracy
With the case of the sealing of the Ahmadiyah mosque in Banjar. This is a picture of the cracks in the face of our democracy. This is not just about one mosque or one group, but about the basic principle of whether this country really guarantees the rights of its citizens to freely practice their religion?
If we continue to allow discrimination against the Ahmadiyya Community in the name of social stability, if we continue to turn a blind eye to the suffering of minority groups, then we have failed to understand the meaning of Bhineka Tunggal Ika and Pancasila.
Freedom of religion is a right, not a gift. It should not depend on majority interpretation or social pressure. The state must stand firm in defending all its citizens, including the Ahmadiyya community. Otherwise, democracy will only be a mask, and intolerance will continue to grow behind the face of the law that pretends to be neutral. []
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Categories: Ahmadis, Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, Asia, Human Rights, Indonesia, Intolerance, Tolerance