September 3, 2026, 8:45 a.m. WIBbyImam WD
KabarBaik.co – September 3, 2021, marked a dark moment in Indonesia’s history of religious freedom. On that day, the Miftahul Huda Mosque, belonging to the Indonesian Ahmadiyya Congregation (JAI), in Balai Harapan Village, Tempunak, Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan, was vandalized by a mob. Buildings surrounding the mosque were also set on fire in a demonstration involving hundreds of people.
The incident occurred after earlier protests against the Ahmadiyah community’s presence in the area. JAI has been present in Sintang Regency since 2004, while the Miftahul Huda Mosque was established in 2007.
Tensions had been rising in the weeks leading up to the attack. The Sintang Regency Government held several meetings to discuss the Ahmadiyah community. During this process, the government issued a cease-and-desist order against the building used as a place of worship by the JAI.
On August 14, 2021, activities at the Miftahul Huda Mosque were reportedly suspended. The situation escalated after demands from some groups for the mosque to be not merely closed but demolished.
On Friday, September 3, 2021, the crowd then moved toward the Miftahul Huda Mosque after Friday prayers. Police said the crowd numbered approximately 200 people.
Despite attempts by Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and Indonesian National Police (Polri) officers to block them, some of the crowd managed to reach the mosque. The mosque building was damaged by throwing objects and vandalism, while adjacent buildings were set on fire. Police stated that there were no casualties in the incident.
A total of 72 JAI members, representing approximately 20 families, were then detained and evacuated by authorities to prevent further protests. After the crowd dispersed, approximately 300 joint TNI and Polri personnel were deployed to guard the area and ensure the situation remained calm.
The Sintang incident didn’t just stop at the destruction of a building. The case has again raised questions about the protection of minority groups and the guarantee of religious freedom in Indonesia.
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) emphasized that everyone’s freedom to practice their religion is a right guaranteed by law. The agency also stated that it had been monitoring developments in Sintang prior to the destruction and had coordinated with several relevant parties.
Five years on, September 3, 2021, remains a memorable day, not for rekindling hatred, but as a reminder that differences in belief should never be a reason for violence.
The state has an obligation to ensure that every citizen receives legal protection, while society has a responsibility to safeguard shared living spaces from being dominated by prejudice and vigilantism. (*)
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Categories: Ahmadis, Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, Indonesia, interfaith, Interfaith tolerance