Scrutinizing Faiths, Stifling Beliefs
AS a result of a fatwa on heresy issued by the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) and the Coordinating Agency to Oversee People’s Beliefs, an Ahmadiyah mosque was burnt down by a mob. Some of their facilities were also damaged.
At the State Palace, presidential advisors debated intensely on faith, the Ahmadiyah sect and politics.
May 6, 2008
THEIR meeting began after Friday prayers and ended late into the night. On that day two weeks ago, the Presidential Advisory Council met, as they usually do every fortnight. The meeting was opened by Ali Alatas, Council Chairman.
Tea and traditional Indonesian snacks were served. The eight members of the Council listened intently to the opening statement of Alex, as Ali Alatas is better known. Adnan Buyung Nasution, who handles legal affairs, a
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