Ahmadis fight mosque closure in Indonesia

April 09, 2013

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BEKASI, Indonesia – About two dozen Ahmadis remained camped inside their mosque in Bekasi Sunday (April 7th), refusing to leave until the local government lifts its ban on using the building as a house of worship, local media reported.

Indonesian Batak Christian Protestant Reverend Menohara (right) walks next to Shiite Islamic teacher Nike (left) as they march towards Parliament during a protest against government failures to guarantee freedom of religion in Jakarta on Monday (April 8th). Ahmadi members of the sealed Al-Misbah Mosque remained camped inside the building to protest a government ban on its use as a house of worship. [Adek Berry/AFP]

The Al-Misbah Mosque was sealed Thursday by authorities on the ground that it lacked official permits. Initially, 50 Ahmadis managed to access the property through a back fence and have been sustained by others who bring food and water, according to The Jakarta Post.

Congregation members are willing to stay indefinitely because they feel responsible for the assets in the mosque, including the mosque itself, Metrotvnews.com reported.

An estimated 15 police officers are guarding the area in West Java.

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- Rahman
  
  April 9, 2013 @ 07:04:40PM
- Step ahead, Ahmadiyah. The Bekasi City Government should be ashamed for sealing off a mosque. As if there is nothing else to do.