The Civil Society Coalition urges the Tasikmalaya Regent to protect JAI based on the constitution and reject discrimination due to group pressure.
Budi Arista Romadhoni
Monday, February 23, 2026
Read 10 seconds
- Hundreds of civil society organizations urged the Regent of Tasikmalaya, H. Cecep Nurul Yakin, to uphold the constitution regarding the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI).
- Regional governments are obliged to protect all citizens based on the 1945 Constitution without bowing to pressure from certain groups.
- This pressure arose because JAI is a legally constituted organization whose existence is guaranteed by national and international law.
SuaraJabar.id – The Regent of Tasikmalaya is facing a test of leadership and commitment to the constitution . Hundreds of organizations affiliated with the Civil Society Coalition and the Indonesian Coalition for Freedom of Religion or Belief (KBB) have simultaneously written to the Regent , H. Cecep Nurul Yakin, urging the local government to “uphold the constitution” in addressing the presence of the Indonesian Ahmadiyya Congregation (JAI) in the region.
This demand emerged amidst increasing pressure and threats from certain community groups who are pushing for discriminatory policies against JAI.
The Coordinator of the Civil Society Coalition, Zainda Usmana Aulia, firmly stated that “local governments must adhere to the constitution and law in all policies, including in responding to pressure from certain groups regarding the Ahmadiyah.”
Zainda reminded that “the Regent, as the regional head, has a constitutional obligation to protect all citizens without discrimination. The state must not bow to pressure from certain groups or short-term political interests.”
Also Read:Forget Puncak Traffic! 5 of Tasikmalaya’s Hottest Tourist Spots for End-of-Year Retreats
SuaradotcomWhen Raffi Ahmad Was Hit With Money Laundering Issues After Alluding to Smart Work
00:00PreviousPauseNext
00:04 / 01:59MuteFullscreen
The Constitution Protects, Regional Governments Are Obliged to Protect
Zainda emphasized that “freedom of religion and belief is guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution and various national and international legal instruments that Indonesia has ratified.”
Therefore, “discriminatory policies against minority groups are deemed contrary to the principles of the rule of law.” This is a fundamental reminder that human rights, including religious freedom, are inherent to every citizen and must be protected by the state at all levels of government.
Furthermore, Zainda reminded that ” the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation is a legally constituted organization based on the Decree of the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Indonesia in 1953, which has never been revoked to date.”
This legal status means that “the existence of Ahmadiyah is legally protected and has the right to exist throughout Indonesia, including in Tasikmalaya.”
Also Read:North Tasik FKPM Chair: MBG Proves the State’s Support for Indonesian Children
“Matters of faith are a personal matter, and religious matters fall under the jurisdiction of the central government. Regional governments have no mandate to regulate such matters,” Zainda added.
This underscores the limits of local government authority in religious issues, which should not interfere in the realm of individual beliefs or usurp the authority of the central government.
Zainda assessed that “the Regent of Tasikmalaya’s firm stance in upholding constitutional principles will actually strengthen social stability, prevent horizontal conflict, and strengthen Tasikmalaya’s image as a religious region that upholds the values of tolerance and humanity.”
This is the vision of an inclusive and peaceful Tasikmalaya, which can only be realized if regional leadership stands firmly on the constitution. “Maintaining diversity and protecting minorities is a test of leadership. We encourage the Regent to consistently uphold the constitution for a peaceful, inclusive, and just Tasikmalaya,” said Zainda.
Demands from the Indonesian KBB Advocacy Coalition
Similar support also came from the Indonesian KBB Advocacy Coalition, which urged the Tasikmalaya Regency Government to “ensure constitutional protection for the Ahmadiyah Congregation amid increasing pressure and threats from certain community groups.”
This demand was conveyed through an official letter dated February 19, 2026, addressed to the Regent of Tasikmalaya, H. Cecep Nurul Yakin, and signed by the Joint Secretariat of the Indonesian KBB Coalition, which consists of more than 160 civil society organizations from various regions in Indonesia.
The coalition expressed “concern over the social dynamics developing in Tasikmalaya, particularly the push for the local government to adopt discriminatory policies against the activities of the Indonesian Ahmadiyya Congregation.”
According to the coalition, the situation “has the potential to disrupt public order and violate the constitutional principle that guarantees freedom of religion and belief for every citizen.”
“Freedom to embrace religion and practice one’s beliefs is a constitutional right that must be respected, protected, and fulfilled by the state, including local governments.”
The Indonesian KBB Advocacy Coalition emphasized that “regional heads have the administrative and coordinating authority to ensure that all citizens receive a sense of security and legal protection without discrimination.”
In Tasikmalaya itself, several institutions have joined this coalition, such as the Tasikmalaya branch of the Indonesian Advocates Association (Peradi), the Pasundan Farmers Union (SPP), the Indonesian National Movement for the Nation (GMNI), the Indonesian National Movement for the Nation (KMRT), the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Lakpesdam (National Youth Movement) in Tasikmalaya City, Pagar Nusa, Gusdurian, Sajajar, and the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Forum. The involvement of these various civil society elements demonstrates that the issue of protecting JAI is not merely an internal issue for the group, but also a matter of constitutional principles and diversity that are of widespread concern in Tasikmalaya and throughout Indonesia.
Categories: Ahmadis, Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, Asia, Indonesia
Yes, there is some opposition to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Indonesia, but there are also many who are speaking out in favor of the Community. In Pakistan there is a lot of opposition and only very very few in its defense.