NU calls for dialogue to settle Ahmadiyah case

Semarang, NU Online
In regard with the existence of Ahmadiyah group in Central Java and some parts in the country, Chairman of the Central Java's Regional Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU) H Abu Hafsin called for the inportance of dialogue in dealing with the existing problems.<>

"We chose the path of dialogue to resolve different religious principles between Ahmadiyah and other Muslims' belief systems," Abu Hafsin said at a meeting with the Central Java's Governor Ganjar Pranowo here on Thursday (17/10).

According to Abu Hafsin, the group which is considered deviant should be given guidance instead of being dissolved without any solution, saying there should be efforts, especially from the government to nurture and give guidance for those who have allegedly practiced misleading religious teachings.

He said that the PWNU had so far held meetings with Ahmadiyah and other religious deviant sects in the region to seek solution to the existing problems.

Meanwhile, the governor said that he did support the PWNU for taking brilliant measures to help solve the problem.

Ganjar asserted that he would not ban Ahmadiyah in Central Java and asked for all parties to proiritize dialogue with Ahmadiyah followers.

Indonesia's attorney general has formerly banned the controversial Ahmadiyah Islamic sect from practising in the country describing it as deviant.

The Ahmadiyah sect was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in the 19th century in the Indian state of Punjab, and is now estimated to have more than ten million followers worldwide. They believe their founder to be another prophet of Islam whose mission was to establish a movement that would revitalise their religion.

But mainstream Muslims around the world have strongly rejected Ahmadiyah's edict and insist that Prophet Muhammad is the final messiah.

Reporting by Ajie Najmuddin; Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq