http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/03/17/ri-refuses-bow-us-congressmens-request-protesting-ahmadiyah-bans.html

RI refuses to bow to US Congressmen's request protesting Ahmadiyah bans


The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 03/17/2011 9:34 PM | National 

Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi says the government will not bow to 27 US 
Congressmen's demand for the annulment of regulations banning the activities of 
the Islamic minority Ahmadiyah sect in Indonesia.

Gamawan said the government would not revoke a joint decree regarding the ban 
issued by then religious affairs and home ministers, and the attorney general 
in 2008, which was accused of escalating violence against Ahmadiyah followers 
and later on inspiring the creation of a number of bylaws that carried the same 
spirit.

"Not until we can produce a permanent decision," the minister said when asked 
on whether the government was planning to revoke the decree in response to the 
US Congressmen's request.

As for the "permanent decision", he was referring to a bill on religious 
freedom currently being deliberated at the House of Representatives.

Gamawan said, as quoted by kompas.com, that the government would organize next 
week a national dialog expected to be attended by interfaith figures to produce 
permanent solutions regarding the Ahmadiyah issue. 

He added he had not read the letter from the US Congressmen regarding the 
request, which was dated March 15 and addressed to President Susilo Bambang 
Yudhoyono, and was sent through the Indonesian Embassy in Washington.


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