Ahmadiyya's Impact on Indonesia

Ahmadiyya Jama’at, an Islamic organization, has been a part of Indonesia since 1925. Over the years, it has spread its presence from the west to the east, establishing itself in more than 400 locations across the country. I come from an Ahmadi Muslim family -- although my father was not from an Ahmadi family and chose to join the organization after meeting my mother, as in our congregation marriage is only allowed between members of the community. One of the things my family has always taught me is to love everyone and not to hate anyone, according to our congregation’s motto: “Love for all, hatred for none.”

Ahmadiyya doesn't just preach love; it practices it in society. The community's focus extends beyond theology to social and humanitarian sectors. Ahmadi members actively participate in eye and blood donation campaigns, establish affordable educational institutions, and provide humanitarian aid in disaster-stricken areas. It's astonishing, given their contributions, that Ahmadiyya still faces persecution and discriminatory government regulations.

Living in a West Java village for the past three years, I've witnessed firsthand the dedication of my fellow Ahmadi villagers. They are potential eye donors, accounting for 90% of prospective eye donors in Indonesia, according to Eye Bank data. While eye donation remains a taboo for many, these villagers selflessly offer their eyes for the greater good. As one villager put it, "At least when I die, there will still be something useful from me." Moreover, our village hosts low-cost or even free educational institutions, ensuring that the next generation receives quality education up to high school level. This is our way of investing in the future.

Speaking of Ahmadiyya's non-structural organization, "Humanity First" deserves mention. This group is a consistent presence in disaster-stricken areas, delivering clean water to arid regions, renovating orphanages, and providing concrete humanitarian assistance.

Challenges to Freedom of Religion and Belief

Despite legal recognition as Islam, some groups still question Ahmadiyya's Islamic identity due to differences in interpretation. The Indonesian government granted legal status to the Ahmadiyya Congregation in 1953 through the ministry of Justice in 1953. However, rules issued by the government and other institutions are used as a means to legitimize acts of intolerance against Ahmadiyya. For example, the Three Ministers Joint Decree (SKB), issued in 2008, restricts the dissemination of Ahmadiyya. At the regional level, there is a regulation of the governor of West Java in 2011 which is used as a justification for sealing and even destroying Ahmadiyya mosques.

Indonesia is a nation that doesn't impose Islam as the state religion, and it's high time we embrace religious diversity as a strength rather than a source of division. In a world that often emphasizes differences, real strength emerges when we unite amid diversity.